FLIGHT services operator Philippine Airlines (PAL) Inc. is urging passengers leaving for the United States and Vancouver, Canada, to allow additional inspection of their belongings in compliance with regulations imposed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The latter is required before a passenger is allowed to board an aircraft.
Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesman, said passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport bound for the US who are carrying portable electronic devices (PED) larger than cellular phones or smartphones will be subjected to additional airport screening and inspection at the final security check. Villaluna said the move is in line with the new set of security directives issued by the US DHS requiring airlines flying from last point of departure to the US.
The new US security directive, which will be in effect until June 30, 2018, aims “to ensure the integrity of all portable devices brought inside the aircraft”.
According to Villaluna, the directive requires passengers with electronic devices exceeding the size limit to surrender the unit to the airline for additional screening at the Redundancy Screening Checkpoint. Necessary medical devices are exempted from additional screening.
The approximate size of a commonly available smartphone is considered to be a guideline for passengers. Examples of large electronic devices that will be subjected to additional screening are laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, electronic game units larger than a smartphone and travel printers or scanners.
“Passengers must ensure their large PEDs have sufficient battery enough to power up the PED during inspection and remove their electronic protective casing prior to inspection,” Villaluna said.