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Travellers to the US may have to prove smartphones or tablets in hand luggage can power up or risk missing their flight or having to leave the device behind.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) toughened airport security requirements on flights to the US last week. It announced additional measures on Sunday, warning: “Security officers may ask owners to power up some devices, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted to board the aircraft.”
The UK Department for Transport confirmed Heathrow and other airports with US flights would apply the rules. It said: “If your device does not switch on, you won’t be allowed to bring it on the aircraft.” Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin was due to issue a statement on the measures as Travel Weekly went to press.
The consumer press reported a “summer of misery” ahead for travellers. However, Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said: “It’s only on flights to the US and only on passengers taken aside for screening. It’s not everyone.”
British Airways, which operates 380 flights a week to the US and is by far the biggest operator from the UK, also played down the impact.
A BA spokeswoman said: “Most people have a device charged because they want to use it. I’m not aware of anyone being affected by this.”
She confirmed BA is telling passengers: “If you are unable to power up an electronic device, it cannot be placed in hand or hold luggage and will not travel on the flight.
“We are considering arrangements under which you and your device might travel on a separate flight or you might travel with your device on a later flight, provided the device has been charged by then.”
Visit USA Association chairman Jonathan Sloan said: “I don’t see this having a big impact on confidence in booking the US and don’t think it will have a huge impact on security – it only affects US flights.”