Air India restricts US-bound passengers from carrying 'powder-like substance' in handbags

State-run carrier Air India has restricted passengers bound for the United States from carrying "powder-like substance" such as sugar, ground coffee and cosmetics in handbags, an airline official said today.

The restriction has come after the US Department of Homeland Security issued a directive last month in view of heightened threat perception over "evolving techniques" of terrorists, he said.

Air India is the only Indian carrier that operates direct non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai to US destinations such as New York, Newark, Chicago, Washington DC and San Francisco.

According to a spokesperson of the airline, the carrier has started implementing the directive on its flights.

United Airlines is the only other carrier operating direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to American cities.

The Air India directive to its passenger said "carriage of any powder or powder-like substance in hand or carry-on baggage which is 350 ml or larger is prohibited."