Airlines adapt to TSA changes

In the wake of the security alerts at London's Heathrow Airport late last week, airlines and airports in the U.S. have been making adjustments in line with new requirements from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The first day of the new regulations (Thursday August 10) saw widespread delays across many U.S. and international aviation networks as swift changes were made to increase the security measures needed at airports.

As reported by Cheap Flights News (see: The forbidden list – what you can’t carry on), almost all types of liquids and gels are now forbidden as part of hand luggage, with the exception of certain medication and baby formula, subject to individual checks.

The resulting slowdown in security procedures led to nationwide delays and some cancellations, particularly on flights to the UK.

Since the new measures came into force, however, several airlines are reporting that services are now beginning to return to normal and that last week's problems were just a blip.

"Our employees have done an outstanding job of adapting to the new TSA requirements and minimizing the impact the changes are having on our customers," said Crystal Knotek, Northwest Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Customer Service and Ground Operations.

"With our employees' efforts, and thanks to our customers' patience and understanding, we are pleased with our operational performance, which has steadily improved since [Thursday], when new measures were first implemented."

The security disruptions had led to several other temporary policy changes, including the suspension of travel by unaccompanied minors on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights.

This restriction, along with the suspension of pet travel (as checked baggage), was lifted at the weekend.

Airlines still urge passengers to check their bags wherever possible to avoid delays at the security check-points and at the gates, although Alaska, for one, has now lifted its ban on all carry-on luggage and has returned to its regular policy of allowing one bag and one personal item per passenger.

Similar announcements on the relaxation of such restrictions are expected from other U.S. domestic carriers in the next few days, although the lifting of restrictions by international carriers, particularly those bound for the UK, are expected to remain in place in the short-term.

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