Boosted Security on Flights from Middle East to Australia

Travellers flying from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha to Australia will find increased security measures taking place in response to electronic device bans put in place by the UK and USA.

The Australian Government announced that passengers travelling on airlines directly into Australia from the Middle East will be subject to random explosive trace detection (ETD) screening from this week onwards. 

These checks will take place at the boarding gate, rather than at the main security checkpoints. Affected airlines include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Qantas. 

While we have escaped the electronic device ban for now, these changes will only affect flights with the above carriers into Australia, not out of Australia. Australian Federal Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Darren Chester has assured there is no specific threat to Australia. This measure has been introduced purely as a precaution, to ensure that Australians and visitors arrive into Australia safely.