Laptop and tablet ban on flights from Europe won’t happen after all

By

Emirates
Emirates is one of the airlines affected by the ban.
Photo: Emirates

The Trump administration won’t be expanding its ban on the use of laptops, tablets and other large electronic devices to flights entering the United States from European airports, after all.

U.S. and EU officials reportedly decided against a ban on laptops and tablets in cabin baggage on flights from Europe, although “other measures” designed to keep passengers safe are still being weighed up.

Discussion of a possible ban was part of a four-hour meeting in Brussels, focused on possible threats to aviation security.

The ban on cabin baggage is already in place for travelers flying from 10 Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The notion that it might extend to European flights as well was touted earlier this year.

The original decision to implement such a ban grew out of concerns that terrorists may be looking to attack airliners and transportation hubs. The original tablet and laptop ban was reportedly put in place after a (thankfully foiled) plot to smuggle a bomb disguised as an iPad onto a plane.

As a response to the ban, some airlines decided to launch new electronics loaner programs for passengers, giving them the option to rent an iPad while their own device is safely stored inside checked baggage.

Fortunately, it seems that such measures won’t have to be employed on flights from airports in Europe, meaning that myself and the other Europe-based Cult of Mac contingent will still be able to watch movies and play games work on flights to the States.

Via: BBC

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