All portable electronic devices (PEDs) larger than a cell phone or smartphone brought along by passengers of Philippine Airlines (PAL) bound for the United States are now subject to additional airport screening.
The flag carrier said this move, which started on July 19, is in line with the new set of security directives issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The new U.S. security directive, which will be in effect until June 30, 2018, aims to ensure the integrity of all portable devices brought inside the aircraft. The DHS said the extra checks are in response to concerns that terror groups are seeking new ways to circumvent aviation security. The directive covers 280 last-point-of-departure airports with direct commercial flights to the U.S., and will be implemented in phases in coordination with international partners.
Electronic devices that exceed the size limit must be surrendered by passengers to the airline for additional screening at the Redundancy Screening Checkpoint. Necessary medical devices are exempted from additional screening, the airline noted.
“The approximate size of a commonly available smartphone is considered to be a guideline for passengers,” PAL said in an advisory.
Examples of large electronic devices that must undergo additional screening include laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, electronic game units larger than a smartphone, and travel printers and scanners.
Passengers of PAL must ensure that large PEDs have sufficient battery charge to power up the devices during additional screening. The electronic protective casing of such devices must also be removed during inspection.
PAL urges passengers bound for the U.S. from Manila and Vancouver to yield to these inspection requirements in compliance with security regulations. PEDs will be allowed on board after they are cleared at the screening checkpoint.
Meantime, Cebu Pacific told PortCalls it is still awaiting clarity on the DHS directive but noted that it is already doing additional screening on electrical devices that are bigger than cellphones. The low-cost carrier has flights to US territory Guam.
Image courtesy of blackzheep at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
