Britain follows US, bans laptops, tablets on flights


London - Britain's government has banned electronic devices in the carry-on bags of passengers travelling to the UK from six countries, following closely on a similar ban imposed by the United States.

The government says in a statement that Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a meeting on aviation security on Tuesday in which it was agreed that new aviation security measures on all inbound direct flights would be introduced. Passengers from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia would be affected.

The statement says that Britain has been in touch with the Americans to fully understand their position.

Laptops and cameras

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 cabin.

The US earlier announced it was temporarily barring passengers on certain flights originating in eight Muslim-majority countries from bringing laptops, iPads, cameras and most other electronics in carry-on luggage.

The ban, which seeks to bolster airline security, is to go into effect immediately after the Transportation Security Administration informs the affected airlines.

The ban is indefinite and will affect nine airlines in total.
AP

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