UK travellers flying to the United States are being ordered to ensure their smartphones and tablets are fully charged before passing through airport security.
The directive has been introduced as part of a move to step up aviation security. The measures are being introduced by the US Department of Homeland Security and enforced in the UK by the Department for Transport.
The US Department of Homeland Security has not specified why the measures are being introduced, only that the move is part of its ongoing work to promote aviation security.
At the time of writing, the UK terrorist threat level is unchanged, and remains “substantial.”
In a statement, it said: “We are sharing recent and relevant information with our foreign allies and are consulting the aviation industry.
“These communications are an important part of our commitment to providing our security partners with situational awareness about the current environment and protecting the travelling public.”
As a result, travellers are being warned that – as part of the existing screening process for electronic devices – they may be asked to switch on their devices.
If the devices can’t be switched on because they have flat batteries or are defective, travellers will have to leave them behind and possibly face additional screening measures.
At present, the new rules are being introduced at a selection of airports that operate direct flights to the USA, and have prompted calls for people to give themselves even more time to pass through airport security.
At present, UK travellers preparing for long-haul flights to the United States are requested to arrive and check-in at the airport at least three hours before they are due to take-off.
The US Department of Homeland Security added that it will be working to ensure passenger disruption is kept to a minimum as a result of the new rules.
In a separate statement, the Department for Transport said it would not be commenting “in detail” on the changes, and assured passengers that the vast majority of them will not suffer “significant disruption” as a result of the move.
“The safety and security of the public is our paramount concern. The UK has some of the most robust aviation security measures and we will continue to take all the steps necessary to ensure that public safety is maintained,” it added.
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