The Tribune

US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly has announced enhanced security screening measures for all commercial flights to the United States.

According to a statement from the US Department of Homeland Security, these measures, "both seen and unseen, include enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices as well as heightened security standards for aircraft and airports."

The statement continued: "These measures will affect both foreign and domestic carriers and will further secure flights from more than 280 last point of departure airports in 105 countries around the world."

In separate remarks, Mr Kelly said Wednesday: "Terrorists want to bring down aircraft to instill fear, disrupt our economies, and undermine our way of life. And it works--which is why they still see aviation as a crown jewel target.

"The threat has not diminished. In fact, I am concerned that we are seeing renewed interest on the part of terrorist groups to go after the aviation sector--from bombing aircraft to attacking airports on the ground, as we saw in Brussels and Istanbul.

"However, we are not standing on the sidelines while fanatics hatch new plots. The US government is focused on deterring, detecting, and disrupting these threats."

According to the DHS, the enhanced security measures include but are not limited to: enhancing overall passenger screening; conducting heightened screening of personal electronic devices; increasing security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas; and deploying advanced technology, expanding canine screening, and establishing additional pre-clearance locations.

The DHS said these changes will be done in phases.

"Some will be required immediately, while others will be implemented over time, in coordination with our international partners. Those stakeholders who fail to implement these requirements within certain timeframes may be subject to additional security restrictions being imposed, including a ban on large personal electronic devices on the aircraft or even suspension of flights to the United States.

"Enhancing security on a worldwide scale is critical to keeping the traveling public safe and the department will continue to assess and adapt its aviation security posture in a risk-based manner and based on the latest intelligence," the DHS said.

In March, Mr Kelly banned electronic devices larger than a cell phone from the passenger cabins of US-bound commercial flights from ten airports in the Middle East and North Africa.