US to ban electronic devices on flights
US authorities are reportedly planning to ban passengers travelling on certain US-bound foreign flights from carrying electronic devices larger than a mobile phone.
The new requirement from the Transport Security Administration (TSA) prohibits passengers from bringing items like laptops, iPads, Kindles and cameras onboard, although doesn’t specify if flight crews are included in the ban.
The ban is related to people flying into the US from the following airports:
- Queen Alia in Jordan
- Cairo International in Egypt
- Ataturk International in Turkey
- King Abudlaziz and King Khalid in Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait International in Kuwait, Mohammaed V in Morocco
- Doha International in Qatar
- Dubai international and Abu Dhabi international in the United Arab Emirates.
The airlines affected by the ban include Royal Jordainia, Egyptair, Turkish airlines, Saudia airlines, Kuwait airways, Royal Air Morocco, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad.
Royal Jordanian was among the first airlines to respond, posting on Monday:
Airlines were reportedly circulated an email on Monday and given 96 hours to comply with the new ruling, which US officials have said is in response to a terrorism threat.
The White House has declined to comment.
What do you think of the new ruling?