Laptop and tablet flight ban could be expanded worldwide

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

The current ban on laptops and tablets in carry-on luggage from 10 different airports could be extended internationally, a new report claims.

The U.S. government has held high-level discussions with officials from the European Union, with both sides deciding “to intensify talks.” The U.S. is said to be more enthusiastic about the possible ban than their European counterparts.

As of yet, no decision has been reached, although Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has said that the ban will be put into place, “if the intelligence and threat level warrant it.” There’s no word on when a final decision will be made.

At present, 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, although (somewhat confusingly given today’s report) this was recently reported to have been ditched.

The original decision to implement such a ban grew out of concerns that terrorists may be looking to attack airliners and transportation hubs. It was put in place after a 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.

Source: WSJ

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