Flight rules tighten further
Dec 27 – OTTAWA – (idhanka)-Nothing on the lap and no moving around the flight cabin in the final hour before landing. And only one carry-on bag allowed.
Those are among the new restrictions imposed yesterday on Canadian and other travellers flying to U.S. destinations after an apparent terror attack on a Detroit-bound flight was foiled on Christmas Day.
Airline passengers are also warned that they can expect longer check-in times, extra pat-downs, flight delays and missed connections.
They will likely see more bomb-sniffing dogs and other safety measures as airports worldwide tighten security.
All this after a man allegedly tried to light an explosive on a Northwest Airlines flight as it was about to land in Detroit after a flight from Amsterdam.
Others on the aircraft overpowered the suspect, identified by U.S. officials as Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian. He was charged yesterday in Detroit with trying to blow up the plane.
The frightening incident renewed security concerns for air travel around the world.
Air Canada said in a statement that new rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration will limit on-board activities by passengers and crew in U.S. airspace.
“Among other things, during the final hour of flight, customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps,” the airline said.
Air Canada is not alone in applying the rules. The Associated Press said passengers getting off both U.S. domestic flights and those arriving from abroad reported being told that they couldn’t get out of their seat for the last hour of their flight.
Air Canada said the added security measures will have a ripple effect.
“While these measures directly affect only flights from Canada to the United States, domestic and international flights may also experience delays due to airport congestion and delayed aircraft.”
Source:Agencies
