Passengers of UAE airlines who are bound to Australia from Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi will have to undergo additional security measures for explosives upon entering the boarding gates beginning April 6. The move is to assure the safety of passengers flying from the United Arab Emirates, but authorities confirmed that there were no specific terror threats in the country.
According to a report by the Gulf News, the additional security measures on explosives to be imposed by UAE airlines come shortly after the United States and the United Kingdom recently implemented an electronic ban on international flights. However, Darren Chester, Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport of Australia, confirmed that unlike the two countries, UAE airlines will not yet enforce a ban on electronics and gadgets on flights.
"Explosive detection screening will be conducted for randomly selected passengers and their baggage. Checks may also include targeted screening of electronic devices," Chester said in a report by the Arabian Business. Flights that will be affected by the new security measures on explosives include those which are operated by Qantas, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates.
A spokesperson from the Emirates said that the additional screening of passengers and their luggage from Dubai International Airport to Australia must proceed to the airport earlier as they are expected to spend additional time on the boarding gates. On the other hand, a representative from the Etihad Airways confirmed that the new security measure that will be observed by the UAE airlines will be similar to those which are currently implemented in flights going to the UK.
Chester advised the public to connect with the airlines for additional details regarding the new security measures. He also confirmed that the explosive screening will be imposed on randomly chosen passengers, luggage and electronic devices.
Just recently, the UK and the US governments imposed the ban of laptops and other electronic devices from direct flights from countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The ban was pushed through for an additional innovative measure for terrorists who use laptops and other electronic gadgets in perpetrating their attacks.
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