The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is to implement enhanced security measures at a number of airports with direct flights to the US.
Under the new regulation, consumer electronics devices should have enough battery to be turned on before a passenger boards a flight.
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Even though all electronic devices are screened by security officers, officers may ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones, during the security examination.
Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft and the passenger may also undergo additional screening.
The new rule is currently applicable for travellers on direct flights from the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
London Heathrow and Manchester airports have also asked passengers to ensure all electronic devices carried as hand baggage have enough charge left to switch them on, before flying to the US.
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By GlobalDataThese enhanced security measures are in response to concerns that Al-Qaeda terrorists are developing explosives that can escape detection by the current screening systems.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there has been some intelligence that terrorists are developing bombs made from non-metallic materials, which may escape screening at airports.
These explosives have been designed specifically to target commercial flights.
The new generation bombs may potentially allow suicide bombers to go past the screening systems and smuggle the explosives onto aircraft.
It is likely that the US may also implement new security measures including advanced screening devices, additional profiling and random passenger checks.
