Tighter security measures, including zero carry-on luggage, were put in place Monday afternoon for U.S.-bound flights leaving Montreal, transportation officials confirmed.
The measures come after a botched terrorist attack aboard a Northwest airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian man, is charged with willful attempt to destroy an aircraft and with placing a destructive device on an aircraft in connection with Friday's incident.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority issued the following statement:
U.S.A. bound passengers are permitted zero carry-on bags effective immediately and lasting until 9:00pm EST on December 29, 2009. Passengers travelling within Canada are still permitted two carry-on bags (although to make the screening process most efficient, no carry-on is preferred).
These rules will be strictly enforced during this period. There will be no flexibility.
Carry-on bag means items to which a passenger has access to during a flight, but does NOT include personal items such as small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, diplomatic or consular bags, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, medication or medical devices, musical instruments, or any special needs items.
Aeroports de Montreal issued a statement Sunday warning U.S.-bound travellers to arrive at least three hours early and expect extra security screening.
Passengers will have to remain seated for the final hour of the flight.
For a complete list of the additional security measures for travellers to the U.S., click here.
