(UDHAYAM, WASHINGTON) – The US is banning electronic devices such as laptops and tablets from cabin baggage on flights from eight Middle Eastern and North African countries.
A US government source told the BBC that the measure would affect nine airlines operating out of 10 airports.
US media reported the order was sparked by intelligence gathered overseas.
It will reportedly include all large electronic devices such as laptops, tablets cameras, DVD players and electronic games.
But mobile phones and smartphones will still be allowed in carry-on luggage.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declined to comment on the issue but is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday.
Last February an aircraft operated by the Dubai-based carrier Daallo was damaged by an explosion shortly after take-off from the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
Investigators said a passenger who was sucked out of the plane had been carrying a laptop bomb. The pilot managed to land and the alleged bomber was the only fatality. Had the device gone off at cruising altitude the plane would almost certainly have been destroyed.
The Islamic militant group al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, claimed that it was responsible and the possibility of further such attacks is apparently what is now concerning American spies.
But, as ever with matters of intelligence, officials are reluctant to go into detail about exactly why the ban is being proposed.
That means travellers being asked to trust the US government when it says that this inconvenience is vital for their own safety and – at present – trust is a commodity which is in very short supply.
What happened in Somali plane bomb?
The Transportation Security Administration, which is part of Homeland Security, also refused to comment.
It is unclear which airlines would fall under the ban and how long it will be in place.
But Royal Jordanian Airlines tweeted on Monday that it would ban passengers from carrying on most electronics to and from its North American flights, CNN first reported.
The tweet was later deleted.
[ot-caption title=”The Jordan-based carrier said that starting on Tuesday, it will only allow phones and medical devices on its flights. All other electronics would be “strictly prohibited”.” url=”http://www.utvnews.lk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/95246589_laptop_976getty-600×338.jpg”]
The Jordan-based carrier said that starting on Tuesday, it will only allow phones and medical devices on its flights. All other electronics would be “strictly prohibited”.
The airline said that laptops, tablets, DVD players and electronic games must be checked with baggage.
The new rule will affect Royal Jordanian flights to New York, Chicago, Detroit and Montreal.
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly reportedly called congressional lawmakers over the weekend to explain the travel security issues that prompted the electronics ban, a congressional aide briefed on the discussion told the AP news agency.
The new ban has been under consideration for several weeks, according to US media. (Courtesy – DN)
