4 Things to Know About the U.S. and U.K. Airline Electronics Bans

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The U.S. is imposing new restrictions on carry-on electronics on foreign-airline flights from eight Muslim-majority countries. The U.K. is imposing a similar ban.

According to The New York Times, the Trump administration says the U.S. electronics ban — which includes any electronic device larger than a cellphone — is an effort to increase safety.

The Department of Homeland Security issued the following statement:

The U.S. Government is concerned about terrorists’ ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years … Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.

The U.K. ban is similar to the U.S. ban, but involves different airlines, according to the BBC.

Here are four things you should know about the electronics bans:

Which electronic devices are included in the ban?

All electronics larger than a cellphone or smartphone are banned from flight cabins, including laptops, tablets, cameras and portable DVD players. The electronics can be included with checked baggage, but not carried on planes by passengers.

Which airlines are affected?

The U.S. restrictions — which apply to flights on foreign airlines only, not American-operated carriers — impact the following nine airlines, according to Reuters:

  • Royal Jordanian Airlines
  • Egypt Air
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Saudi Arabian Airlines
  • Kuwait Airways
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • Qatar Airways
  • Emirates
  • Etihad Airways

The U.K. restrictions involve British Airways and EasyJet, according to the BBC.

Which airports and countries are impacted by the new restrictions?

According to the BBC, the new restrictions impact passengers flying from the following 10 airports:

  • Mohammed V International, Casablanca, Morocco
  • Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Cairo International Airport, Egypt
  • Queen Alia International, Amman, Jordan
  • King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • King Khalid International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait International Airport
  • Hamad International, Doha, Qatar
  • Abu Dhabi International, United Arab Emirates
  • Dubai International, United Arab Emirates

When does the electronics ban take effect?

The new U.S. policy took effect at 3 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the Times reports. Affected airlines will have 96 hours to comply with and enforce the new rule. The DHS says the restrictions will be in place “until the threat changes.”

What do you think of the new electronics restrictions? Sound off below or on Facebook.

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