The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said the moves come as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) asked 180 airlines from 105 countries in June to carry out thorough pre-flight security checks of passengers through interviews and screening. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – The government said Thursday that South Korean travelers flying to the U.S. destinations aboard budget carriers must arrive at airports three hours before the flight to undergo enhanced security checks and interviews.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said the moves come as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) asked 180 airlines from 105 countries in June to carry out thorough pre-flight security checks of passengers through interviews and screening.
Korean Air Lines Co. and Asiana Airlines have asked the TSA todelay the implementation of strengthened security checks until April 24 and Feb. 20, respectively, citing the time they need torelocate their facilities and equipment to the second passenger terminal at Incheon International Airport in January and reorganize service infrastructure.
Low-cost carriers (LCCs), however, did not apply for the TSA waiver for the new security checks.
Passengers using local budget carriers, therefore, will be subject to the new security checks and interviews from Thursday at the airlines’ ticket desks.
Those passengers will be asked by LCC security agents about the purpose of their travel, duration of stay, addresses in the U.S. and a few other security-related questions.
Domestic budget carriers currently operate flights to the U.S.territories of Guam, Saipan and Hawaii.
As of July 19, full-service and low-cost carriers have already begun to carry out additional screenings of portable electronic equipment such as notebooks and smartphones before boarding, per the U.S. request.
Jeju Air Co., one of South Korea’s leading budget carriers, said it has designated three counters at Incheon International Airport for passengers traveling to Guam and Saipan so securityagents can ask them questions while they process tickets and luggage.
Air Seoul Inc., another budget carrier, also said it has established four counters exclusively for those bound for the U.S. to expedite the boarding process.
A budget airline official said, “Passengers will be able toboard the flights in time if they arrive at Incheon International Airport about three hours before departure time, as we have prepared a variety of measures to ease screening despite the complicated procedures related to enhanced security.”
(Yonhap)
