U.S. officials say travelers heading to the United States from some overseas airports will be required to power on cell phones, laptop computers and other electronic devices, as part of new security measures.
In a brief statement Sunday, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said powerless devices will not be permitted on board such flights and that travelers carrying them may also face additional screening.
The U.S. statement did not offer further search details and did not reveal which foreign airports will conduct the enhanced screening.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson directed the TSA to implement the new measures at airports with direct flights to the United States but details were not originally released.
The order comes as U.S.-bound travelers from Europe and the Middle East continue to face tighter security procedures.
Analysts have linked the new measures to intelligence suggesting al-Qaida-linked militants are developing new explosives that could be placed on airplanes undetected.