By Calvin Biesecker
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano last Friday announced new security measures for air carriers with international flights to the United States that include a combination of measures, some of which will be visible to the traveling public.
The new measures will be based on threat-based intelligence as well as random layers of security from the passenger check-in process all the way through boarding, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. The screening measures may include explosive trace detection, whole body imaging systems, canine teams, pat downs and more, DHS said.
DHS said that passengers departing to the United States from an international last point of departure are likely to see the enhanced screening measures.
The specific details of the new security directive are not being made public.
“These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats,” Napolitano said in a statement. “The terrorist threat to global aviation is a shared challenge and ensuring aviation security is a shared responsibility. I commend our many partners around the world who have taken steps to increase their own security measures through deployment of new technology, enhanced information sharing and stronger standards to keep air travel safe.”
Napolitano has been meeting with her international colleagues to discuss strengthening aviation security following the Christmas Day airline bombing attempt.
The DHS announcement was welcomed on Capitol Hill. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the ranking member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, praised the new approach for being more effective rather than relying on a “one-size-fits-all” effort based only country of origin. She added that there still needs to be improvements in the sharing of intelligence.
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, also lauded the new security measures. However, he was critical of the Obama administration for not allowing the Transportation Security Administration to brief the committee on the new directive before it was announced.