New counter-terror measures on flights to Australia: Passengers from three Middle Eastern airports to face bomb swab tests - but the government insists there's no new threat

  • Tighter security for passengers flying to Australia from the Middle East 
  • Flights from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai face random explosive trace detection
  • There 'is no specific threat to Australia' in light of the increased security
  • The UK and the US ban electronics in carry-on luggage from Middle East airports

By SINEAD MACLAUGHLIN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Passengers flying to Australia from the Middle East will be subject to additional screening measures in response to an unspecified terrorist threat. 

Flights from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will face random explosive trace detection (ETD) screenings starting from April 6, Transport Minister Darren Chester announced.

The boosted security measures follow the crackdown on electronics in carry-on luggage during flights from the Middle East to the US and UK.

Passengers flying to Australia from the Middle East will be subject to random explosive trace detection (ETD) screenings  in response to an unspecified terrorist threat

Passengers flying to Australia from the Middle East will be subject to random explosive trace detection (ETD) screenings  in response to an unspecified terrorist threat

Mr Chester told News.com.au that there 'is no specific threat to Australia' in light of the increased security.

'Our changes are in line with the UK, which recently announced that people travelling from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be subject to random explosive trace detection (ETD) screening.

'There is no ban on the carriage of electronic devices on flights to Australia at this stage.'

'The Government is continuing to ensure Australians and visitors who travel by air can do so in the knowledge that every precaution is being taken to ensure they arrive at their destinations safely,' Mr Chester said.

In an ETD test, a randomly selected passenger must remove all their electronic items before they, their carry-on bags and electronics are swabbed.

The swab will then be analysed for any traces of explosives.  

Qantas Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, will be impacted by the changes - as will Etihad Airways which includes code share passengers flying with Virgin Australia. 

Qantas Airways, Etihad Airways (including code share passengers with Virgin Australia), Emirates, and Qatar Airways are all affected 

Qantas Airways, Etihad Airways (including code share passengers with Virgin Australia), Emirates, and Qatar Airways are all affected 

The boosted security measures follow the crackdown on electronics in carry-on luggage during flights from the Middle East to the US and UK

The boosted security measures follow the crackdown on electronics in carry-on luggage during flights from the Middle East to the US and UK

While the electronics ban has not come into affect in Australia, a former Qantas senior executive told the ABC it's 'reasonably likely' it will happen in the future

While the electronics ban has not come into affect in Australia, a former Qantas senior executive told the ABC it's 'reasonably likely' it will happen in the future

The controversial ban on carry-on laptops and tablets was prompted by reports terrorist groups want to smuggle explosives inside the electronic gadgets. 

And while the electronics ban has not come into affect in Australia, a former Qantas senior executive told the ABC it's 'reasonably likely' it will happen in the future.

'It will depend on the substance of the intelligence that the agencies have,' Geoff Aksew told ABC Radio Melbourne.

'I think it would be prudent for [Australian] passengers travelling through the Middle East, those particularly going on to the UK or to the US at this stage, to determine whether they need to take those devices with them and if they do, to put them into their checked baggage.' 

Laptops, iPads, Kindles and game consoles have been outlawed from hand luggage and instead must be placed into check-in baggage. 

 


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