Be prepared to go through new security screenings while flying to USA

Starting Thursday, both American and foreign travellers will face new security screenings from airlines if they are flying to the United States.

According to the Daily Mail, both American and global air carriers will have to comply with the new aviation rules of the Donald Trump administration that will affect around 2,100 flights that land on US soil every day.

The new rules seem to have given rise to much confusion among airlines who lack a clear and detailed direction on how to carry out the new security measures.

Five global long-haul carriers said they would start the new security screenings on Thursday. But each airline had a different type of procedure they would follow during these security screenings, as per the Daily Mail report. The versions ranged from a form mandated to be filled out by passengers to verbal quizzes by an airline employee. However, some other carriers said their operation would stay the same.

As per a report in the Economic Times, the security screenings may include interrogation regarding one's purpose of travel, if the passenger had his bag with him throughout and so on. The US government has not revealed other queries yet.

Many US airlines will see no impact as they already engage in such questionings with passengers travelling to the US. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific Airways and Delta Air Lines have asked passengers to reach airport at least three hours before departure to go through security process.

Some airlines told the Associated Press that they have been permitted to delay imposition of the new security measures until January next year.

The AP article said that long-distance carrier Emirates began questioning passengers on Thursday at Dubai International Airport, which is the busiest international travel junction in the world. Along with normal security checks, the airline questioned US-bound passengers about their luggage and the place they were coming.

On the other hand, Singapore Airlines passengers would perhaps be subjected to "undergo enhanced security measures" that would consist of inspecting personal electronic devices and security questioning on both before boarding the flight and on arrival, the carrier stated on its website.

Other carriers who have announced the new regulations a day before include Air France, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Germany’s Lufthansa and EgyptAir, as per the Associated Press.

The new security measures come after the Donald Trump headed government had imposed a ban on carrying laptops in check-in luggage. The ban was on 10 Middle Eastern countries, which was later lifted.

However, the new rules affect all airlines flying to USA.