US Bans Large Ink Cartridges on Passenger Flights
–
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said Monday it
has implemented new rules for air cargo following an Oct. 29 attempt to
ship bombs from Yemen to the U.S. on FedEx and United Parcel Service
planes.
A part of the Department of Homeland Security, the TSA
banned air cargo from Somalia in addition to cargo from Yemen. The
agency also banned “high risk” cargo from all passenger flights,
including toner and ink cartridges weighing over 16 ounces for both
carry-on and checked luggage.The TSA said it also wants to expedite the
receipt of cargo manifests for international flights to the U.S. prior
to aircraft departure.
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Canada bans printer cartridges from planes
Large,
office-sized printer cartridges are no longer allowed on airplanes,
according to new security measures enacted on Monday, ten days after it
was revealed that two explosive packages were making their way through
international airports.Canada’s new security measures went into effect
at noon Monday, aiming to enhance the security of air travel through the
country.According to the new measures, passengers are not permitted to
travel with office-sized ink and toner cartridges that weight 454 grams
or more in their carry-on luggage.Smaller cartridges, commonly used in
personal computers, are still permitted.
The ban includes air
travel within the country as well as to the United States.Air carriers
are also not permitted to transport large cartridges departing from
airports in Canada.The ban is a direct result of two packages discovered
in the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates two weeks ago. The
packages were found to be bombs hidden inside large, office printer
cartridges.
All cargo and mail from Yemen and Somalia have also
been banned from entering Canada.”Our government’s highest priority is
the continued safety and security of Canadians and the travelling
public,” Transportation Minister Chuck Strahl said in a news release.
“While there was and is no current information that these incidents were
targeting Canada, we will continue to monitor the international
security environment closely and take further action as appropriate to
protect air travellers.”
The news release says the announcement
coincides with similar measures announced by U.S. President Barack Obama
on Monday.”Canada is not immune from terrorist threats. Our law
enforcement and security agencies remain vigilant and always work
closely with their counterparts in the United States to protect our
shared border,” said Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews. “We face the
same threats and share the same concerns.”
The two suspicious
packages found in the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates were
destined for the U.S.Airports across Canada and the U.S. were
immediately launched into high-alert.Strahl is scheduled to further
explain the new measures at a news conference scheduled for Monday
afternoon.