Flying to the US? New airport checks may 'cause uniform inconvenience'

October 27, 2017

Robert Patman outlined the impact on Kiwi travellers with extra airport screening to fly to the US.

An international relations expert has warned a raft of new screening measures for those flying into the US will probably require people to arrive at the airport three hours before their international flights.

Additional passport and boarding pass checks and more passenger screening will be enforced on all international American-bound flights.

International relations expert Robert Patman said the US administration was adamant to make a statement by the increased travel screening, but this added scrutiny may be disproportionate to the risk Kiwi travelers pose.

"I would think that many of us will have to arrive at the airport a little bit earlier than we imagined," Mr Patman said.

"This has caused some concern I think in New Zealand and other countries that really these measures should be collaborated in proportion to the risk.

"I mean New Zealand is considered a low risk country, and there is a bit of concern this is a bit of a blanket measure that's going to cause uniform inconvenience but I think the administration is determined to make a point."

Mr Patman said there is a general concern at the moment that travelers are taking more and more carry-on luggage, and airlines want to get a "closer handle" on what gets onto their planes.

However, Mr Patman said the initial delays to airport travel caused by the US screening will eventually settle down.

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