Security tightened on US-bound flights amid fears of bombs being smuggled on board
Unspecified new security measures to be carried out at airports in Europe and the Middle East with direct flights to the US after President Obama warns of new dangers
US authorities plan to bolster security at some airports in Europe and the Middle East with direct flights to the United States, officials said on Wednesday.
Amid concern that terror groups are developing new explosives to circumvent airport security, US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced unspecified steps that would be carried out in “coming days,” without saying which airports would be affected.
“We are sharing recent and relevant information with our foreign allies and are consulting the aviation industry,” Johnson said in a statement.
“We will continue to adjust security measures to promote aviation security without unnecessary disruptions to the travelling public.”
After an assessment of security threats, Johnson said he had directed the Transportation Security Administration “to implement enhanced security measures in the coming days at certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States.”
Johnson said “we will continue to adjust security measures to promote aviation security without unnecessary disruptions to the travelling public”.
The airports were located in the Middle East and Europe, according to an official at the Department of Homeland Security, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The announcement came before the US Independence Day celebrations on Friday but officials would not say whether authorities had uncovered a specific threat or plot.
