Expanded Electronics Ban Would Affect Around 300 Flights a Day

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Frustrated man in an airport
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Catching a flight out of certain airports could soon become more challenging.

The secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, John Kelly, met with European officials on Friday to discuss possibly expanding the electronics ban on flights that President Donald Trump’s administration implemented in March, Reuters reports.

Currently, the ban prevents passengers departing from certain Middle Eastern airports from carrying electronics that are larger than a cellphone aboard airplane cabins. Instead, such electronics must be placed in checked luggage, a requirement stemming from concerns about terrorists possibly using consumer items to smuggle explosive devices onto commercial flights, DHS explained in April.

For more details about the existing ban, see “4 Things to Know About the U.S. and U.K. Airline Electronics Bans.”

The Trump administration is likely to add certain European airports to the ban, which would “significantly” affect U.S. and European airlines, Reuters reports. Last year, 30 million people flew from Europe to the U.S., and every day around 300 flights leave Europe for the U.S.

So U.S. and European airlines are concerned about the large number of devices they would have to check if the ban is expanded, which some airline officials tell Reuters would require hiring more staff.

Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson happens to also be an expert at traveling abroad with only carry-on luggage, though. His recent article “Ask Stacy: How Can You Go to Europe for 10 Days With Just a Carry-On?” is a must-read for just anyone who flies anywhere.

Do you have any advice you’d share with someone trying to avoid checking luggage? Share it below or on Facebook.

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