Singapore Airlines said on Friday that the passengers travelling from the United States on the airline will now have access to expedited security screening procedures. This is the first time for an Asian carrier to have such process.
The partnership with the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) comes under the TSA Precheck programme – which offers "low-risk" travellers shorter checkpoint wait times.
Under this programme, the travellers can use a separate lane for security screening during departure. They would not have to remove jackets, belts, laptops, liquids and shoes.
Although the enrolment in the programme is open to US citizens and permanent residents, but Singaporeans can also take part through the Global Entry Programme. It is open to citizens from Colombia, Germany, Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, UK and Mexico.
According to the Department of Homeland Security's website, the Global Entry Programme costs US$100 (S$139) for a five-year membership.
The successful applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that will be given to the airline during booking or check-in. Eventually, the TSA Precheck logo will be printed on their boarding pass.
If children aged 12 or under are travelling with passengers who have a valid KTN, the children can also enjoy the benefits of TSA Precheck.
SIA passengers will also have the option of having a self-printed boarding pass or mobile boarding pass. This will allow the travellers without check-in bags to check in online and proceed directly to the gate at the airport. The airline said that this will be implemented in the coming months.
SIA is among seven airlines that were added to the TSA Precheck programme on Thursday. The other six airlines are Copa Airlines, Dominican Wings, InterCaribbean Airways, Silver Airways, Swift Air and Turkish Airlines.
