London: Passengers flying into or out of the UK have been advised to ensure that electronic devices in their hand luggage are sufficiently charged to be switched on at security checks. These checks which were enforced at some UK airports last week for flights to the US have been extended to all flights entering or exiting the UK, the BBC reported.
The measure has been adopted after an apparent terror threat by the al-Qaeda’s Iraq wing prompted the US to announce extra security checks. The British department for transport in its updated guidelines, said: “In line with the US advice, passengers on some routes into and out of the UK may now also be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft.”
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said Britain faced “a constantly evolving threat from terrorism”. British Airways said customers with uncharged devices would have to rebook their flights or else leave the devices behind. Passengers will not be able to collect the device on their return, not have it forwarded to them. Virgin Atlantic said it would store uncharged devices at the airport at no cost.
