Passengers traveling to the U.S. from Korea are advised to arrive at airports four to five hours before departure due to new tougher security screening regulations starting from later this month.

According to government and aviation industry sources on Tuesday, security checks for U.S.-bound flights will be bolstered at airports around the world in compliance with tougher guidelines of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Passengers who use Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and other U.S. carriers as well as Korean budget fliers flying to Guam and Saipan are subject to the new security steps from Oct. 26.

Korean flagship carriers Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will comply with the regulation from mid-January when the new terminal at Incheon International Airport opens.

Under the TSA`s new measures, passengers will have to have a two- to three-minute interview at airline counters regarding the purpose of their visit, where and how long they intend to stay in the U.S. Suspicious passengers will encounter rigorous security checks in an isolated area before boarding. In addition, current inspections of personal belongings on randomly selected passengers at the boarding gate will be applied to all passengers from Oct. 26.

Boarding procedures are expected to take one or two more hours due to the tougher counter interview.

By Park Dong-min, Ji Hong-goo and Minu Kim

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]