9/2/2004 11:25:45 AM, CBS MarketWatch via NewsEdge Corporation : WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- Federal officials have ordered airlines that operate direct flights to the United States from Moscow to dramatically tighten their security in the wake of two suspected terrorist attacks on Russian domestic flights late last month.
There are four flights daily from Moscow to the United States, operated by Delta Air Lines DAL and Aeroflot Russian Airlines.
Under the new procedures, every passenger, piece of luggage and carry-on item as well as all cargo will have to be screened for explosives using a variety of technologies.
"The measures will remain in place until we have more information to assess the situation," said Amy Von Walter, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration.
The two Russian planes were destroyed by terrorist bombs on Aug. 24, killing all 89 passengers.
Russian authorities are conducting an investigation into the nature of the bombs and have said they are looking into the possibility that suicide bombers brought down the planes.
Shares of Atlanta-based Delta added 5 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $4.01 in recent dealings.
