Colombia’s civil aeronautical authority, Aeronautica Civil, announced Monday that as of Wednesday 19 July, all electronic devices larger than a cellphone will be subject to additional scrutiny by U.S Federal Authorities on direct flights heading from Colombia to U.S airports.
The additional security measure affects passengers traveling from Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Cali and Barranquilla on 23 direct flights to major U.S airports, including Miami, Dallas, New York, Orlando, Atlanta, among others.
The U.S Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guideline aims to boost inspection of all electronics carried on board,especially the revision of larger devices such as tablets and laptops.
Initial inspection of electronics will take place at the central control areas of each airline, and should the equipment not pass the inspection, will not be allowed past security and allowed on the plane.
The additional electronics “scrutiny” is not a ban, yet as of 00:00 hours on July 19, if the lap-top or tablet fails inspection for exterior damages such as scratches, missing parts, the airlines authorized to fly to major hubs within the United States will not be allowed to transport the device.
All electronic devices inside protective casing must be removed for inspection. The new restrictions apply to commercial, charter and private flights, as well as passengers in all cabins.
In June, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief John Kelly announced that additional electronics screening will be applied to 105 countries. “It is time we raise the global baseline of global aviation security,” said Kelly at a security conference June 28. “We must put in place new measures across the board to keep the traveling public safe.”
Besides enhanced security screening of all electronic devices, measures such as passenger vetting will continue. The DHS has also said it could impose new restrictions on laptops if airlines do not make security upgrades.
In March, the U.S. imposed a laptop ban on flights coming from 10 airports in eight countries across the Middle East and North Africa.
