Turkey beefs up airport security after US warns of bombs

ISTANBUL

AA Photo

Security at Istanbul Atatürk Airport has been tightened after the U.S. authorities said they were concerned that al-Qaeda-linked militants were developing new explosives that could be slipped onto planes undetected.

Passengers flying from Turkey to the U.S. will have to remove technical equipment, such as laptops and cellphones, from protective covers and turn them on to demonstrate to security that they work. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard and travelers may also undergo additional screening.

U.S. intelligence officials have recently been concerned about new efforts by al-Qaeda to produce a bomb that would be undetected by airport security. Officials say there is no indication that such a bomb has been created or that there is a direct threat to the U.S., though intelligence officials have suggested that al-Qaeda and like-minded groups are focusing on perfecting an explosive that could be hidden in shoes, electronics or cosmetics.

France, Germany and Britain have already beefed up security at their airports. Travelers from France to the United States began undergoing checks on July 8 and airport security agencies say these security measures were expected to continue throughout the summer. Germany says travelers to the United States should expect checks, but did not specify when they would start. Britain also imposed enhanced security measures that require passengers travelling – not just to the U.S. – to power their electronic devices.