Now BA bans passengers from US flights if mobile isn't charged: Airline announces tough new security measures

The new British Airways security measures come amid concerns terror groups are planning an attack on a commercial airliner

British Airways announced tough new security measures last night
which will see passengers barred from US-bound flights if their
electronic devices are not charged up.

In preventing passengers from flying, the airline is going one step further than the guidelines issued on Sunday.

These
stated that gadgets will be confiscated before boarding if their owner
fails to switch them on and prove they are not packed with explosives.

The
US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has said it will not
allow mobile phones – especially the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy – on to
planes bound for the US from some international airports if the devices
are not charged.

But British Airways’ rules could see travellers
with uncharged electronic devices – some of which are notorious for
having short battery lives – not only lose their gadgets but also their
seats on the flight.

And unwitting passengers whose batteries have
run out during a stop-over, before taking a connecting flight to the
US, face being stranded, unable to continue their journey.

A
spokesman from British Airways confirmed its new policy, telling the
Daily Mail: ‘If [customers] are unable to power up their electronic
device they will not be allowed to fly.

If it does not power up then it cannot be placed in hand or hold
luggage. We advise our customers to please do all they can to ensure
that any electronic device they have is fully powered before you arrive
at the airport.

‘For people transferring we advise that they use
electronic devices sparingly if they are going to fly on a long journey
before getting to London and then transferring on to a US destination.’

The
airline also admitted that there will be limited charging facilities at
check-in, so there is no chance of any last-minute powering up.

The
heightened security comes amid reports two terror networks are working
together on a bomb that could evade existing detection measures.

US
officials are concerned that a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or other
electronic device could be used as a bomb by Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the
Arabian Peninsula and the Islamist Nusra Front, Al Qaeda’s affiliate in
Syria.

The new British Airways measures barring passengers whose electronic
items cannot be powered on exceeds guidelines which state the item
should simply be confiscated

In 2009 a Yemen-linked bomb maker, Ibrahim al-Asiri, built an
underwear bomb used in a failed attempt to bring down a plane bound for
Detroit.

The TSA did not disclose which airports would be
conducting the additional screening, but it was reported last week that
passengers at British airports travelling to the US are facing extra
checks on their phones.

US officials singled out particular
smartphones, including the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, for security
screening on direct flights bound for the States from Europe, the
Middle East and Africa.

The BA spokesman added: ‘Safety and
security is our top priority at all times and we continue to work
closely with airports and governments around the world.‘

We are
complying with the US regulations and would advise customers to arrive
in good time for their flights both at check-in and also at the boarding
gate ... our flights continue to operate as normal.’