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Airport security measures to expand

Posted on: Thursday, 10 August 2006, 22:09 CDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The government plans to expand airport security measures starting as soon as Friday, adding to those just put in place in response to a foiled overseas plot to blow up U.S.-bound airliners, industry and other officials said.

The changes triggered by the discovery of a British-based plot to carry aboard bomb-making ingredients disguised as beverages and other common items mark the most urgent aviation security steps since the September 11 hijack attacks.

Beginning on Friday, security screening of carry-on items will expand significantly from levels imposed at two dozen cities on Thursday, said Jim May, chief executive of the Air Transport Association, at a news conference.

The trade group for the biggest airlines said the changes would involve additional checks at boarding gates but offered no details.

The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement on its Web site that there will be more hand searches of bags at security checkpoints and a bag check at the gate immediately prior to boarding the aircraft.

Authorities have banned travelers from carrying liquids and other gel-based products such as toothpaste and makeup onto planes. Those items are permitted in checked luggage.

Additional security steps include:

-National Guard forces activated in Massachusetts and California will assist airport screeners. About 300 California National Guard troops will start deployments as early as 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1200 GMT on Friday at San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles airports, a Guard spokesman said.

-Certain private air services from Britain must coordinate with U.S. aviation and security authorities for permission to fly. The Federal Aviation Administration order will likely affect business jets and other private aircraft. Big commercial carriers already have security programs in place.

-Airlines departing Britain must supply a passenger manifest to U.S. authorities ahead of takeoff, May said. Currently, carriers can give that information for checks against watch lists soon after the plane leaves.

(Additional reporting by Susan Heavey in Houston and Eric Auchard in San Francisco)

Source: REUTERS

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