News
U.K. enhances airport security measures
July 9, 2014, London, U.K. - Britain has authorized airport security staff to require any traveller to turn on electronic devices as a way to test for hidden explosives. France and Germany are implementing similar measures, but only for travel to and from the United States.
July 9, 2014 By The Associated Press
American intelligence officials are worried about new al-Qaida
efforts to produce a bomb. Powering up computers or phones allows
screeners to make sure that explosives have not been substituted for
batteries or essential components.
Travellers to and from Britain faced the new rules from
Wednesday. Travellers from France to the United States began undergoing
checks Tuesday and the French measures were expected to last through the
summer. Germany says travellers to the United States should expect
checks, but did not specify when they would start.
Security experts were skeptical.
Michael Boyd, who heads aviation consultancy Boyd Group International,
said would-be terrorists will find ways to make it look as if the device
is working, for example by calling up a family photo.
"If you get good intelligence," he said, "you don't tell the other side you have it."
