U.S.-bound passengers face tighter screenings

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U.S.-bound passengers face tighter screenings

People flying to the United States on Korean Air flights will face tighter screening starting Thursday because of enhanced security measures required by the U.S. government, Korea’s largest airline said Tuesday.

Tighter screening will include security interviews at both check-in counters and boarding gates. Korean Air has hired some 70 security staff for the interviewing process and dedicated a counter at Incheon International Airport - counter C - for passengers flying to the U.S..

Even passengers checking-in at kiosks will be subject to questioning, a spokesperson for Korean Air said.

The tighter screening is part of an effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prevent possible threats from terrorist groups. The department asked for tighter screening of electronic devices and additional security interviews on all U.S.-bound passengers at airports around the world.

While most commercial airlines including local low-cost carriers adopted the rules from last October, Korean Air had gotten a delay from the U.S. government because it was moving its operations to the newly opened Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport.

Korea’s other full service carrier, Asiana Airlines, will start tighter screenings of U.S.-bound passengers from April 25. It earned a grace period because it was also moving its operations due to construction of the new terminal, according to an Asiana spokesperson.


BY KIM JEE-HEE [kim.jeehee@joongang.co.kr]
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