Plane travelers who cannot switch on their cell phones or other electronic devices will not be able to take them on flights as part of new security measures, US authorities said Sunday. US-bound travelers from Europe and the Middle East have faced tighter airport security in recent days over fears that Al-Qaeda-linked militants are developing new explosives that could be slipped onto planes undetected. The checks focused on electronic items such as laptops and cell phones, fueling fears that extremists such as Al-Qaeda could use them as their latest tactic in a long campaign of attacks involving aircraft. "During the security examination, officers may also ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones," the US Transportation Security Administration said in a statement, noting that all electronic devices are screened by security officers.



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