Following a US cabin ban on selected electronic devices on inbound flights from eight countries, the UK government has imposed a ban on laptops and tablets in cabin baggage on direct flights to the nation from six countries, namely Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.
The ban prohibits the carrying of any device larger than 16cm long, 9.3cm wide and 1.5cm deep onboard selected flights, while prohibited devices, including large smartphones and e-readers, are to be kept in hold luggage. Existing safety regulations mean that spare batteries and portable power sources can no longer be carried onboard aircraft operating on affected routes in either cabin or hold baggage.
The new aviation security measures will affect six UK carriers, including British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook, and Thomson; while also affecting eight foreign airlines, including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air, and Saudia.
The US ban applies to flights from 10 airports in eight countries, affecting nine airlines including Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad Airways.
Regarding the resulting additional hand luggage restrictions, there are analyses pointing to the laptop bomb on a flight from Somalia last year. Government officials say that the ban is not the result of an “identified terrorist plot” and it is “long-standing government policy not to comment on intelligence matters.”
The UK’s Department for Transport says “the additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals.”
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