Airports ratchet up security in wake of attempted jet attack
Source: Agencies |
December 30, 2009, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BAGS were painstakingly checked, babies were frisked, and in-flight screens showing a plane's location and flight path had to be switched off.
International airports from South Korea to Paris had ramped up security on Monday, causing long queues and inconveniences, after last week's attempted attack aboard a Detroit-bound plane. Airlines managed to keep the disruptions and delays to a minimum, though, by giving many travelers advance warning of the new security measures.
At London's Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest air hub, small lines built up at departure gates, with flights to the United States running about an hour behind schedule. Most passengers, traveling for the holidays, took things in stride.
"It's Christmas as well, so you'd expect some delays," said Mary Lecarpentier, 45, who was flying from London to New York.
British Airways was telling customers flying to the US to carry only one item of hand luggage and to expect any gifts they were carrying to be unwrapped at security. Virgin Atlantic posted a similar announcement on its Website. Both airlines said delays had been minimal.
Officials have given scarce details about the restrictions introduced over the weekend, saying they do not want terrorists to know about potential security measures after a man aboard a Northwest Airlines flight on Friday from Nigeria through Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, tried unsuccessfully to ignite an explosive as the plane prepared to land.
Measures introduced at airports in Asia led to only minor delays. At Incheon airport, South Korea's main gateway, passengers and baggage were checked repeatedly in the customs, immigration and quarantine areas at the request of US authorities.
Many airports introduced a secondary level of security, after the main security gates, for travelers going to the US.
At Toronto's Pearson International Airport in Canada, the additional measures meant some passengers were made to wait more than three hours to board. Before one Continental Airlines flight leaving Cancun, Mexico, for Newark, New Jersey, even babies were being frisked.
Canada on Monday banned most carry-on luggage for US-bound passengers. Passengers can carry on only medical devices, small purses, cameras, laptop computers, canes, walkers, diaper bags, musical instruments and bags containing "life-sustaining items."
International airports from South Korea to Paris had ramped up security on Monday, causing long queues and inconveniences, after last week's attempted attack aboard a Detroit-bound plane. Airlines managed to keep the disruptions and delays to a minimum, though, by giving many travelers advance warning of the new security measures.
At London's Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest air hub, small lines built up at departure gates, with flights to the United States running about an hour behind schedule. Most passengers, traveling for the holidays, took things in stride.
"It's Christmas as well, so you'd expect some delays," said Mary Lecarpentier, 45, who was flying from London to New York.
British Airways was telling customers flying to the US to carry only one item of hand luggage and to expect any gifts they were carrying to be unwrapped at security. Virgin Atlantic posted a similar announcement on its Website. Both airlines said delays had been minimal.
Officials have given scarce details about the restrictions introduced over the weekend, saying they do not want terrorists to know about potential security measures after a man aboard a Northwest Airlines flight on Friday from Nigeria through Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, tried unsuccessfully to ignite an explosive as the plane prepared to land.
Measures introduced at airports in Asia led to only minor delays. At Incheon airport, South Korea's main gateway, passengers and baggage were checked repeatedly in the customs, immigration and quarantine areas at the request of US authorities.
Many airports introduced a secondary level of security, after the main security gates, for travelers going to the US.
At Toronto's Pearson International Airport in Canada, the additional measures meant some passengers were made to wait more than three hours to board. Before one Continental Airlines flight leaving Cancun, Mexico, for Newark, New Jersey, even babies were being frisked.
Canada on Monday banned most carry-on luggage for US-bound passengers. Passengers can carry on only medical devices, small purses, cameras, laptop computers, canes, walkers, diaper bags, musical instruments and bags containing "life-sustaining items."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
