Paris:
The September 11 attacks on the United States brought in their wake measures to tighten airport security around the world, which have evolved as potential new threats emerged.
While the US and the countries of the European Union have adopted strict rules, other countries, notably in Africa, have not been so rigorous.
To work round this problem the EU has asked its airlines to apply European rules at airports outside the bloc.
Here is a summary of developments in airport security:
2002: Authorities impose systematic controls of passengers and hand baggage, which were only performed on a random basis before the September 11 attacks.
In Europe and the US controls also apply to cargo, mail, flying and ground personnel, and on access to sensitive zones in airports and the quality of surveillance material.
Screening points become commonplace with the installation of metal detectors.
The United States goes even further, imposing biometric checks.
November 2006: After a terrorist plot is uncovered in which three Islamists sought to blow up aircraft over the Atlantic with liquid explosives, the EU bans passengers from carrying in their hand luggage more than 100 ml of liquids, including shampoo and toothpaste.
This ban is renewed in 2010, but could disappear as technologies allowing the analysis of different kinds of liquids come into widespread use.
2009 : Washington calls on airlines and airports around the world to bolster security after an attempted terrorist attack on a flight between Amsterdam and Detroit. Passengers are frisked right up to the moment they board the plane and controls of hand baggage are increased.
November 2011: The EU's executive Commission adopts rules authorising and governing the use of body scanners. However, these scanners are not obligatory and for the time being only a few airports are trying them out, including London.
July 2, 2014: The United States announces the reinforcement of security in some airports in the Middle East and Europe, from where direct flights to the United States depart, alarmed that extremist Islamic groups could have developed new explosives for attacks.
July 3, 2014: Britain leads the way in announcing the reinforcement of its security measures, which are believed to include increased random searches and checks on shoes.
While the US and the countries of the European Union have adopted strict rules, other countries, notably in Africa, have not been so rigorous.
To work round this problem the EU has asked its airlines to apply European rules at airports outside the bloc.
Here is a summary of developments in airport security:
2002: Authorities impose systematic controls of passengers and hand baggage, which were only performed on a random basis before the September 11 attacks.
In Europe and the US controls also apply to cargo, mail, flying and ground personnel, and on access to sensitive zones in airports and the quality of surveillance material.
Screening points become commonplace with the installation of metal detectors.
The United States goes even further, imposing biometric checks.
November 2006: After a terrorist plot is uncovered in which three Islamists sought to blow up aircraft over the Atlantic with liquid explosives, the EU bans passengers from carrying in their hand luggage more than 100 ml of liquids, including shampoo and toothpaste.
This ban is renewed in 2010, but could disappear as technologies allowing the analysis of different kinds of liquids come into widespread use.
2009 : Washington calls on airlines and airports around the world to bolster security after an attempted terrorist attack on a flight between Amsterdam and Detroit. Passengers are frisked right up to the moment they board the plane and controls of hand baggage are increased.
November 2011: The EU's executive Commission adopts rules authorising and governing the use of body scanners. However, these scanners are not obligatory and for the time being only a few airports are trying them out, including London.
July 2, 2014: The United States announces the reinforcement of security in some airports in the Middle East and Europe, from where direct flights to the United States depart, alarmed that extremist Islamic groups could have developed new explosives for attacks.
July 3, 2014: Britain leads the way in announcing the reinforcement of its security measures, which are believed to include increased random searches and checks on shoes.
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