Airline bans electronic devices on flights to and from US
Royal Jordanian Airlines claims devices were banned following instructions from U.S. officials; Jennifer Griffin reports from the Pentagon
Following a ban imposed on eight North African and Middle Eastern nations, the British government has banned electronic devices in the carry-on bags of passengers traveling to the U.K. from six countries.
On Tuesday, the U.K. government issued a statement declaring that Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a meeting on aviation security earlier in the day, where officials agreed that the new aviation security measures would be imposed on all inbound direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
According to The Telegraph, a spokesperson for May admitted that while the electronics ban may cause a "disruption," the government is viewing it as a necessary measure to ensure all passenger safety at this time.
“Safety of the travelling public is our highest priority. That is why we keep aviation security under constant review and put in place measures that are necessary, effective and proportionate," said the spokesperson.
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“Over the last few weeks, the PM has chaired a number of meetings on aviation security, most recently this morning, where it was agreed new measures will be introduced.”
The move will affect in-bound passengers from the six countries listed traveling on Britain's largest carriers as well as those flying international airlines including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global, Egyptair, Tunisair, Royal Jordanian, and Saudi.
The statement says that Britain has been in touch with American authorities to fully address the situation.
Under the new arrangements, passengers on the flights “will not be allowed to take any phones, laptops or tablets larger than a normal sized mobile or smart phone,” into the plane cabin.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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