The U.S. Transportation Security Administration says cellphones or other electronic devices that are not charged up will not be allowed on planes bound to the United States from some overseas airports.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson recently ordered the TSA to put extra security measures in place at some international airports with direct flights to the United States.
U.S. intelligence officials are concerned about new Al-Qaeda 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.
A U.S. source familiar with the matter said laptop computers are among the devices security screeners may require passengers to turn on.
U.S. officials are concerned that a cellphone, tablet, laptop or other electronic device could be used as a bomb.