Some at US-bound airports must turn on phones for security check

In this June 24, 2014, file photo, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. Johnson is ordering increased security measures at some overseas airports offering direct flights to the United States. The Homeland Security Department would not immediately say July 2 whether the increased measures were in response to intelligence about a specific threat. But a U.S. counterterrorism official says American intelligence has seen indications that certain terrorist groups in Yemen and Syria are working on a bomb that could make it through airport security undetected. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration is requiring passengers at some overseas airports that offer U.S.-bound flights to power on their electronic devices.

The TSA says it is requiring some overseas airports to have passengers turn on devices such as cellphones. It says devices that won’t power up won’t be allowed on planes, and those travelers may have to undergo additional screening.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh (JAY’) Johnson recently ordered the TSA to put extra security measures in place at some international airports with direct flights to the United States.

American intelligence officials have been concerned about new al-Qaida efforts to produce a bomb that would go undetected through airport security.

The TSA will not disclose which airports will be conducting the additional screening.