19 May, 2017
The US is expected to announce a ban on the use of laptops and other electronics aboard flights from certain European countries. A new ban would affect all US airlines, including American Airlines, which has a hub and a trans-Atlantic gateway at Philadelphia International Airport.
The US Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday it was close to a decision on extending to Europe an existing ban imposed on eight countries, as the busy summer transatlantic travel season looms.
European governments alarmed at a proposed expansion of the ban on inflight laptops and tablets to passenger planes from the EU were holding urgent talks on Friday with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS spokesman David Lapan confirmed the call and said no announcement is planned for Friday on whether the USA government will expand the ban. "We understand that there's a meeting in Washington with airlines on this topic today, so we should know more after that".
US President Donald Trump's administration is reportedly reviewing how to ensure lithium batteries stored in luggage holds don't explode mid-flight. "DHS continues to evaluate the threat environment and will make changes when necessary to keep air travelers safe".
The travel industry is not on board with the ban expansion.
The discussion, the latest in a series of meetings that have been held, will include domestic and global airline industry officials, an airline industry source said.
Ironically, the ban itself is meant to mitigate the threat of terrorists smuggling explosive devices on board in electronic devices.
The proposed expanded ban is based on growing concern about an explosive getting past airport scanners.
Emirates, one of the several airlines whose United States flights are affected, have cited the electronics ban as a factor behind its decision to cut underperforming flights to the country. The ban is already in place on flights from some Middle Eastern and African countries.
Expanding the ban to flights from Europe would affect United States airlines, who are now not impacted as they do not operate to the 10 airports.
According to documents seen by the Daily Beast, the FAA recorded 33 incidents in 2016 of personal electronic devices carried into cabins by passengers causing fire emergencies during flights.
