New Regulations Increase International Restrictions

The TSA issued new security directives Sunday to all domestic and international air carriers with inbound flights to the US effective January 4, 2010.  These new measures come just days after the expiration of another TSA security directive aimed at inbound international flights that was issued in the wake of the Christmas Day bombing attempt aboard a NWA flight.

According to the statement from the TSA, "Because effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders, and as a result of extraordinary cooperation from our global aviation partners, TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the US from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening."

Although no list was provided directly by the TSA, POLITICO reports that passengers coming from 14 countries including Nigeria, Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia will get "full body pat-down and physical inspection of property."  The State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism includes Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria.

Unlike the previous security directive, this one has no end date.  The TSA calls these "long-term, sustainable security measures" that were developed in coordination with international partners.

The directive requires increased use of enhanced screening technologies such as clothing-penetrating milimeter-wave imaging.  The new rules also mandates both threat-based and random screening for passengers on international flights bound for the US.

FMI: www.TSA.gov