SECURITY INCREASED ON ALL U.S BOUND FLIGHTS

Transport Canada, the country's department of transportation, has banned most carry-on bags on U.S.-bound flights until 1900 local time on 29 December 2009. Thirteen item categories are still permitted, including medication or medical devices, small purses, cameras, coats, items of care for infants, laptop computers and walking devices such as crutches, canes or walkers. Security officers are permitted to exercise discretion in determining what items to allow. The ban aims to alleviate the congestion that has occurred at security checkpoints at Canadian airports as a result of the temporary measures imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on U.S.-bound international flights following the 25 December attempted bombing of a commercial flight landing in the United States. The measures include pat-downs of passengers at airports and closer inspections of carry-on bags by hand. The TSA relaxed some of its in-flight restrictions on 28 December. Airlines can now determine whether in-flight entertainment systems that show an aircraft’s location must be turned off. Flight crews can also exercise discretion in determining whether passengers can get out of their seats or access belongings in overheard bins during the final hour of U.S.-bound flights and on whether passengers can keep pillows or blankets on their laps.