13 May, 2017
The Department of Homeland Security may ban passengers from carrying laptops onto some US -bound flights from Europe, expanding on a ban imposed on some flights from the Middle East and North Africa, sources say.
The airline official said carriers have been told an electronics ban might cover all flights from the largest European airports to the United States, including London and Paris.
CNN has reported that US intelligence and law enforcement agencies believe that the Islamic State group and other terrorist organizations have developed new ways to plant explosives in electronic devices that could evade some common airport security screening methods.
"No finals decisions have been made on expanding the restriction on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins", the Washington Post quoted Department of Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan, as saying.
DHS officials are expected to speak to airline industry representations and lawmakers Thursday about security and consideration of the ban.
In the United States could extend the ban on the transportation of electronics by passengers in carry-on baggage on flights from Europe.
The US authorities are set to ban laptops from carry-on baggage on all flights from Europe and the United Kingdom, with an announcement expected as early as today, according to reports. No official decision on the matter has been made.
Concerns among the airlines include whether there will be enough advance notice of the new ban, as it may require hiring more staff, according to Reuters.
But as a growing number of airlines continue to charge for checked luggage, this new ban could mean that American travelers would literally pay to bring their computers to Europe. If one catches fire and explodes, while near other lithium ion batteries they would likely also catch fire.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the plan, said the primary questions revolved around when and how - not whether - the ban would be imposed. That could include routinely testing laptops for chemical residues associated with bombs, requiring owners to turn on their devices, and letting frequent travelers keep their electronics with them.
If the ban is enacted, airlines will have another issue to consider.