26 Oct 2017

Stricter US security rules: NZ travellers could be quizzed

2:24 pm on 26 October 2017

Stricter security rules coming in tomorrow could mean New Zealand travellers heading to the United States could have to go through short interviews before being allowed to fly.

Wellington Airport terminal

Wellington Airport terminal. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The US announced the tougher passenger screening measures in June, giving airlines 120 days to comply.

The new rules come after a ban on electronic devices in hand luggage for passengers from some Middle Eastern and North African countries.

The ban was lifted in July but the Trump administration said it could bring such measures back to particular airlines if they did not boost security.

Some airlines have said passengers may have to go through short interviews at check-in, and may have to check in much earlier than before.

The new measures are expected to affect 325,000 passengers heading into the US on commercial flights every day.

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