The TSA is starting stricter cargo screenings on some flights because of growing concern about terrorists getting a bomb onto planes headed for the U.S.
The new rules ordered by TSA Administrator David Pekoske start Monday and apply to cargo being loaded onto flights from five mostly-Muslim countries -- Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
These same countries were subject to the laptop ban last year.
Six airlines that serve the U.S. from seven airports are now required to comply with additional security measures for air cargo known as Air Cargo Advance Screening protocols.
The airlines are EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Qatar, Saudi, Emirates and Etihad, according to CBS News.
CBS News reports the airports subject to the stricter screenings include Cairo International Airport in Egypt, Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan, King Abdul-Aziz International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, Doha International Airport in Qatar, as well as Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport in the U.A.E.
Cargo loaded onto planes is already screened, but the new security measures will give the TSA and Customs and Border Patrol more information about the cargo before it is ever loaded onto an airplane such as who sent the cargo, where it came from, how it was sent, the contents and more.
Cargo flagged by the TSA and CBP will be subject to a secondary inspection.
A TSA official told CBS News that there is no new threat, but they want to stay ahead of what they have seen in the last nine months.
Cox Media Group
