Travel Security Update.

For more safety & security news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Aug 28, 2006

DHS announces new fingerprint security checks at airports. The Department of Homeland Security says it will require parolees, certain Canadians and U.S. residents with green cards to undergo fingerprint checks when reentering the U.S. through airports and seaports. Under the DHS US-VISIT program, which has helped catch 1,100 criminals at ports of entry, the fingerprint checks are intended to screen out criminals and detect illegitimate documents. Aug 27, 2006

Antimissile systems not reliable enough for airliners. It could be two decades before all commercial jetliners are equipped with systems to protect them from man-portable air defense weapons, or MANPADS, according to a government report. Airlines say the systems are too expensive and question their effectiveness. "The counter-MANPADS proposals we have seen reflect more vendor say so than security prioritization," Air Transport Association Executive Vice President John Meenan says. Aug 27, 2006

Security concerns may boost business for private jets. Some business travelers have turned to private planes to avoid security lines and other inconveniences of commercial air travel. Higher levels of airport security over the next few weeks may prompt more corporate fliers to avoid large airports and fly in corporate jets, observers say. Aug 27, 2006

Security issues raised with new e-passports. New U.S. passports, dubbed e-passports because of their embedded chip, are designed to ensure better security at U.S. borders, but they are raising other security concerns. The State Department says it chose the new technology because it is harder to forge, but critics say it opens up the potential for hackers to steal information. Aug 27, 2006

TSA explosives detection program needs better oversight. The Transportation Security Administration needs to improve oversight of its explosives detection program at airports, according to the Government Accountability Office. The report reviewed maintenance costs and contracts for two types of explosives detection systems. Aug 27, 2006

Security incidents leave some travelers suspicious. A foiled terror plot last week and other security incidents in recent days have made some travelers jittery and suspicious. Many Muslim travelers say they feel they are being unfairly targeted by fellow travelers. Aug 25, 2006

Umair Hussain, the 12th person charged over a suspected plot to blow up US-bound airliners, was remanded in custody on Friday when he made his first appearance at a London court. Aug 25, 2006

US Transportation Security Administration said there has been a 20% increase in checked baggage since it banned liquids and gels from carry-on bags on Aug. 10, but insisted there is "no negative impact" and "no flight delays" as a result of the higher volume. TSA head Kip Hawley said the agency is "paying close attention so the system doesn't become overwhelmed." Aug 25, 2006

Faster airport pace follows stricter security: The new security rule banning liquids in carry-on bags has spurred unintended benefits, such as shorter security lines and faster online boarding. Some fliers have even reported shorter flights, although aviation experts say it is too soon to attribute the increase in on-time arrivals to less carry-on luggage. Aug 24, 2006

TSA to keep ban on liquids, gels in place for now. The Transportation Security Administration does not have a timetable for ending new rules barring fliers from taking liquids and gels on airliners, TSA Administrator "Kip" Hawley says. Air Transport Association Chief Operating Officer John Meenan believes the restrictions will evolve. "If the security situation permits, we would very much like to see the programs adjusted to accommodate passenger service," Meenan says. Aug 24, 2006

Officials want to broaden search of airline passenger data. Authorities in the U.S. and Europe want to expand screening of international airline passengers by searching airline itineraries, personal information and payment data. Critics of the proposal, prompted by the foiled terror plot on Aug. 10, say it would violate travelers' privacy. Aug 22, 2006

British authorities charge 11 in terror plot. Authorities in the U.K. Monday formally charged 11 people in connection with a suspected terror plot to blow up airliners bound for the U.S. Eight of the 11 suspects planned to assemble liquid-based explosives on board airplanes and detonate them, prosecutors charge. Aug 22, 2006

Travelers advised to beware of wireless network security. Wireless hot spots in airports and other public places may not be as secure as many travelers think, technology experts say. "Someone may have some software on their computer that allows them to look at all the wireless transactions going on around them and capture packets that are floating between the laptop and the wireless access point," cautions Robert Vamosi, a senior editor with online technology publisher CNET. Aug 22, 2006

Domestic flights operate smoothly, airline officials say. Air travel has returned to normal and travelers are adjusting to new security rules put in place after a foiled terror plot. Domestic flights in the U.S. are "running as smoothly as any other summer day," Air Transport Association President James May says. "Customers are getting through the security checkpoints quickly, and with few exceptions, operations are running on time." Aug 21, 2006

Increased security puts text-messaging system to the test. Increased security at U.K. airports over the past 10 days has provided a big test for a new text-messaging system that alerts ticket holders to delays and cancellations. The service, called Incentivated, sent out 20,000 text messages in the first four days of heightened security. Aug 21, 2006

American Airlines 

Travelers, airlines adjust to new security rules. Business travelers are adapting to new security rules, but an increase in checked bags is straining baggage systems and causing delays. American Airlines reports checked baggage has increased up to 30% at some airports. Southwest Airlines has scheduled more ground workers to handle the boost in checked bags. Aug 21, 2006

Amsterdam airport, Northwest Airport

Dutch Regret Arrest Of Men On Northwest Plane. The Dutch ambassador to India has expressed regret for the arrest of 12 passengers whose India-bound plane was diverted to Amsterdam after their behavior triggered fears of a hijacking, a government minister said on Friday. Aug 25, 2006

Amsterdam airport, Northwest Airport

Dutch authorities released all 12 passengers detained Wednesday after a Northwest Airlines DC-10-30 bound for Mumbai abruptly returned to Amsterdam. US air marshals onboard the flight thought the 12 male Indian citizens aged 25-35, reportedly dressed in traditional South Asian clothing, were acting in a suspicious manner. The plane returned to Schiphol accompanied by Dutch fighter jets shortly after departure. The passengers reportedly were passing cellphones to each other, behavior deemed potentially threatening in light of UK authorities' contention that the transatlantic airline bombing plotters may have been planning to use phones to detonate explosives. A Dutch prosecutor's office said in a statement that "a thorough investigation of the cellphones in the plane found that the phones were not manipulated and no explosives were found onboard the plane." It added that interrogations of the men and other witnesses yielded "no evidence...that these men were about to commit an act of violence." Aug 24, 2006

Lucent, Boeing

Lucent joins Boeing team on bid for border security pact. Boeing has included Lucent Technologies in its team competing for a $2 billion Department of Homeland Security contract to develop systems to help secure U.S. borders. Lucent will bring its wireless and network management and integration expertise plus Bell Labs research capabilities to the effort. Aug 27, 2006

Miami Airport

Music Player, Soap, Prompts Miami Airport Scare. A suspicious suitcase that triggered an alert at Miami International Airport on Thursday turned out to contain a portable music player, a large battery and a bar of soap, police said. Aug 24, 2006

Northwest Airlines

Passengers On Northwest Plane Tell Of Air Marshal. Passengers aboard a Northwest Airlines plane bound for Mumbai and forced to turn back to Amsterdam said air marshals swooped after 12 people began fidgeting with mobile phones and plastic bags, Dutch media said on Thursday. The 12 were arrested on Wednesday after the plane landed at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Prosecution authorities said they were still holding the 12 but would not give their identities or nationalities. "I saw the air marshals run and I knew something was amiss," a 31-year-old businessman aboard the plane told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. Other passengers commented those arrested were from Asia and aged between 25 and 35. Two Dutch F-16 fighter jets accompanied the 273-seat Northwest DC-10 plane which had reached German airspace en route to Mumbai before it was forced to turn back to Schiphol. Aug 25, 2006

Northwest Airlines

Northwest Airlines DC-10-30 en route from Minneapolis to Mumbai via Amsterdam yesterday abruptly returned to Schiphol Airport shortly after departure, at which point 12 passengers were arrested by US air marshals for "suspicious" behavior. News reports from Amsterdam said passengers were using mobile phones in flight, attempting to pass phones among one another and ignoring "fasten seatbelt" signs. Other reports said some passengers had suspicious-looking plastic bags. Air marshals, who usually remain undercover, reportedly announced their presence onboard and the flight returned to AMS. The 12 arrested passengers were not formally charged; Dutch law allows them to be detained for three days before charges are brought. NWA said only that some passengers on the flight had raised "concern" and that it was cooperating with Dutch authorities. It cancelled the flight, saying the service would resume today. UK authorities said this week they had seized 200 cellphones as part of the investigation into the transatlantic airline bombing plot and have indicated the plotters could have used cellphones to detonate explosives inflight. Aug 24, 2006