Security at U.S. airports boosted after Russian airliner tragedy

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the United States introduced new airport security measures after the last week’s Russian airliner tragedy on Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, Jeh Johnson, the country’s Homeland Security Secretary has said.

Barack Obama, The United States cited the possibility that a bomb aboard caused the crash of the aircraft that took off from the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh en route to St. Petersburg.

In the crash of the airbus A-321, all 224 people aboard were killed.

Security at U.S. airports boosted after Russian airliner tragedy

These stepped-up measures “will supplement the US aviation security requirements currently in place at all of foreign last-point-of-departure airports, as well as the additional security enhancements I directed last summer at certain foreign locations,” Johnson said.

According to secretary, there are no direct flights between the Sharm el-Sheikh and US, and while the investigation into the crash continues, “precautionary security measures” will be increased.

Johnson specified that the enhanced measures include “expanded screening applied to items on aircraft, airport assessments in conjunction with our international partners, and offers of other assistance to certain foreign airports related to aviation and airport security.”

“At this time these security enhancements are intended only for certain foreign airports in the Middle East region,” he said.

“While we cannot discuss the full details of our aviation security measures, or the enhancements noted on Friday, I want to assure the travelling public that the department of Homeland Security is working closely with our domestic and international partners to evaluate the cause of the crash, and will continue to take appropriate precautionary security measures,” Johnson said.

The crash cause are being investigated and for now it was shown that the Russian airliner suffered an explosion in midair 23 minutes after takeoff.