Passengers on some U.S.-bound foreign airline flights will have to
check electronic devices larger than a cell phone once authorities
formalise a new ban in response to an unspecified terrorism threat, U.S.
officials told Reuters.
The new rule is expected to be announced on Tuesday by the Department
of Homeland Security, the officials said, adding that it had been under
consideration since the U.S. government learned of a threat several
weeks ago.
A source said the rule would cover around eight to 10 foreign airlines. A separate government official confirmed an Associated Press report
that the ban will affect 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle
East and North Africa.
Reuters reported earlier the ban would include airlines based in
Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The officials did not name the other countries.
No American carriers were affected by the ban, the officials said.
Passengers would be allowed to carry larger devices such as tablets,
portable DVD players, laptops and cameras in their checked luggage.
CNN, citing an unnamed U.S. official, said the ban on electronics on
certain airlines was related to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and
that some information came from a recent U.S. special forces raid in
Yemen.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the CNN report, but Reuters has
reported the group has planned several foiled bombing attempts on
Western-bound airlines.
Royal Jordanian Airlines said in a tweet on Monday that U.S.-bound
passengers would be barred from carrying most electronic devices aboard
aircraft starting Tuesday at the request of U.S. officials, including
those that transit through Canada.
Passengers can still carry cell phones and approved medical devices.
Al Riyadh newspaper, which is close to the Saudi government, reported
that the civil aviation authority had informed “airlines flying from
the kingdom’s (Saudi) airports to U.S. airports of the latest measures
from U.S. security agencies in which passengers must store laptops and
tablets” in checked-in baggage.
Al Riyadh quoted a civil aviation authority source as saying that
these measures from senior U.S. authorities were relayed to the Saudi
interior ministry.
Saudia Airlines confirmed in a tweet that U.S. transportation
authorities had banned carrying larger electronic devices in cabin
luggage.
United Arab Emirates carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways told
Reuters on Tuesday they had not been advised of any new restrictions on
carrying electronic devices on U.S. flights.
The White House declined to comment.
A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, David
Lapan, said the agency has “no comment on potential security
precautions” and would provide an update when appropriate.
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called congressional lawmakers
this weekend to notify them of the plan, congressional aides said.
In July 2014, the Homeland Security Department stepped up security of
U.S.-bound flights, requiring tougher screening of mobile phones and
other electronic devices and requiring them to be powered up before
passengers could board flights to the United States.
(Reuters/NAN)
