Passengers travelling to or from the UK are once again being warned of further extended security measures on mobile devices – all electrical appliances and gadgets must be charged or will not be allowed on-board.
Air travellers making their way into or out of the United Kingdom are once again being urged to make sure their mobile devices have enough juice to be powered-up and proven to be the real-deal. Last week brought the announcement that a number of global airports serving the US would introduce stricter security screening in the wake of a raised terror threat, which has since been extended to cover more airports and regions.
As the UK government has failed to specify exactly which flights and airports will be implementing the mobile device screening measures, the simple advice is for all travellers to ensure their devices are charged.
“In line with the US advice, passengers on some routes into and out of the UK may now also be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft,” said the UK’s Department for Transport.
“Passengers flying into or out of the UK are therefore advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel,”
“We will work with the aviation industry to minimize disruption as far as possible,” said a spokesman.”
The additional security measures were put into place after US intelligence was tipped-off about a new kind of explosive device that could pass through airport security in the guise of a Smartphone. Since then, airport security workers have been asking passengers to switch on their Smartphones, tablet PCs and other such devices to prove they’re real, otherwise refusing to accept the devices on-board.
Other devices included in the screening include hairdryers and appliances, electric shavers, digital cameras and more – all of which must be charged or will not be allowed to fly.