Philippine Airlines (PAL) is further enhancing security measures for its United States and United Kingdom flights in line with the regulatory requirements in the two destinations.
PAL in an advisory said that to comply with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (US DHS), it will further enhance security measures by screening powder-like substances on a random continuous basis, aside from screening all electronic devices larger than a cell phone or smartphone, effective June 30, 2018.
The new security measure covers PAL’s Manila-Los Angeles/Manila-San Francisco/Manila-Honolulu/Manila-Guam and Vancouver-New York (JFK) flights.
PAL will also carry out inspections for powder-like substances 12 ounces (350 milliliters) or larger in size (for example, individual containers larger than a beverage can).
It noted that powders are fine dry particles produced by the grinding, crushing, or disintegration of a solid substance (for example, flour, sugar, ground coffee, spices, powdered milk and cosmetics). Powders may also appear in clumpy, grainy, or compressed material forms (for example, polvoron, cosmetic powder, etc.)
Medically prescribed powder-like substances (baby formula or human remains 12oz or larger) may be transported after security inspection.
Duty-free powder containers inside a properly sealed Secure Tamper Evident Bag (STEB) are allowed.
PAL last year also started implementing additional check-in procedures for its US-bound flights to comply with the US DHS’ intensified security requirements for all flights operating from the “last point of departure to the United States.”
Similarly, PAL is also now implementing enhanced security measures for its UK-bound flights–Manila-London Heathrow—through additional random screening of check-in baggage and gate-screening procedures.
The airline said this move is in line with the regulatory requirements of the UK Department for Transport (UK DfT) for all flights operating directly from Manila to the United Kingdom.
PAL is advising passengers of US- and UK-bound flights to arrive at the airport at least three hours before flight departure in view of the slightly different check-in counter and gate screening setup now in place.
