US wins praise for lifting laptop ban as broader security rules take effect

摘要

The US lifted its laptop ban that affected the three major Gulf carriers and other Middle Eastern and African airlines after announcing a new set of security requirements that apply to all US-bound international flights. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not spell out the new requirements, which will apply to 180 airlines and 280 airports globally, but airlines flying to the US and airports that are the last points of departure to the US are required to increase overall passenger screening, in particular of personal electronic devices (PEDs), increase security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas, deploy advanced technology, and expand canine screening, DHS said. The US is also pushing for more foreign airports to establish US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance facilities, homeland security secretary John Kelly said.