TSA Implements Additional Screenings for Cargo from Five Middle Eastern Countries

Posted on Jan 23

Cargo arriving on board of passenger or all-cargo planes from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will be subject to additional screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).The decision to implement this additional security level is apparently based on intelligence indicating possible bomb attacks.Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), a usually voluntary program, will now be required for flights departing from those five countries.TSA administrator David Pekoske told CBS News that, “In close co-ordination with Customs and Border Patrol, I directed specific carriers [including Egypt Air, Royal Jordanian, Saudia – Saudi Arabian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad] to implement strict security requirements based upon recent information that established a need to implement additional security measures for air cargo bound to the United States.”Airports in the five Middle Eastern countries affected by the new order include Cairo International Airport (Egypt), Queen Alia International Airport (Jordan), King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (Saudi Arabia), King Khalid International Airport (Saudi Arabia), Doha International Airport (Qatar), Dubai International Airport (UAE) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (UAE).