People traveling by air can expect their lives to get more complicated soon. What those complications will consist of is largely a mystery.
One thing seems certain: those carrying electronic devices larger than a cellphone will face a new set of headaches going forward.
Late last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the institution of a whole new set of security measures for flights to the United States from 280 locations in 105 countries. The details are unclear, but Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) seem to the primary focus of the new regulations.
“We are not standing on the sidelines while fanatics hatch new plots,” said John Kelly, secretary of the DHS.
In response to this announcement, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, the operators of the Guadalajara International Airport, this week issued a press release in which they recommended that passengers with tickets to the United States check with their airlines regarding the specific requirements for traveling with electronic devices larger than a cellphone.
Noted the press release: “In the event that the airline does not have the special inspection equipment, there is the possibility that the passenger must check their equipment – laptops, tablets – as luggage, in which case they will not be able to take them into the cabin.”
An outright laptop ban on selected airports in the Middle East and Africa has already been in effect since March. The ban will be lifted, says the DHS, when these airports (Kuwaiti City, Amman, Cairo, Casablanca, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Jeddah and Riyadh) comply with the new security upgrades.
The U.S. government cites security as the reason they haven’t yet specified what the new measures will be. Exactly when they will take effect is also a matter for speculation.