Washington, Jan 5 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Airport security is going to be tightened many folds in lieu of the failed Christmas bombing attempt. And the cabin crew of the planes are poised to get more powers on the International Flights bound for the United States. In addition, beginning on Monday, travelers from Yemen, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and 11 other countries will be subjected to mandatory full-body pat-downs, and other, more pointed screening methods if the behavior of the passenger warrants extra concern, according to reports.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has introduced tough new restrictions on flights to the United States from international destinations, especially from 14 countries and they have also giving additional discretionary powers to cockpit crews, if they see some passenger behaving in a strange manner. “The new directive includes long-term sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners … effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders,” said the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) statement announcing the move.

The security agency has also banned passenger communications on all flights entering the United States from foreign countries. Air-borne passengers are also required to remain in their seats for up to an hour or more before landing. The new restrictions followed requests from airline operators to give more power to aircrews more effectively against the risk of a terrorist attempt while airborne.