The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has mandated new security measures covering inbound flights to the USA effective 4 January.

Those measures are the latest response to a foiled attempt on 25 December by a Nigerian national to use explosives to destroy an Airbus A330 operated by Delta Air Lines.

The administration's new directive applies to both US and international carriers operating inbound flights, and includes "long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners", says the TSA. It is mandating enhanced screening for every individual flying into the USA travelling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism and other countries of interest.

The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies, and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on international flights bound for the US.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news