Phones, Shoes to Face Scrutiny as Airport Security Tightened

Local Editor

Airlines with direct flights to the United States have been told to tighten screening of mobile phones and shoes in response to intelligence reports of increased threats from al Qaeda-affiliated militant groups, according to US officials on Thursday.

The officials singled out smartphones including iPhones made by Apple Inc and Galaxy phones made by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd for extra security checks on US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

A US official said that other electronic devices carried by passengers also are likely to receive more intense scrutiny.

They also are concerned that hard-to-detect bombs could be built into shoes, the officials said.

Airlines or airport operators that fail to strengthen security could face bans on flights entering the United States, the officials added.

The US Homeland Security Department announced plans on Wednesday to step up security checks, but they offered few details on how airlines and airports will implement them.

Moreover, there was no immediate indication US intelligence had detected a specific plot or timeframe for any attack.

US security agencies fear bombmakers from AQAP and the so-called "al-Nusra Front," are collaborating on plots to attack US- or Europe-bound planes with bombs concealed on foreign fighters carrying Western passports, the officials said.

Sources: News Agencies, Edited by website team