Department of Homeland Security lifts airline laptop ban

The Department of Homeland Security has lifted the ban on laptops on flights into the US from Middle Eastern and North African countries. The controversial ban, introduced by the Trump administration back in March, was almost extended to all international flights, but has now been scrapped altogether.

Airports have introduced enhanced security measures, and this means that the restrictions on portable electronic devices is no longer considered necessary.

See also:

• US bans laptops and tablets on flights from eight countries in Africa and the Middle East
• US may extend laptop ban to all international flights

The ban was introduced over concerns there were plots to smuggle bombs onboard aircraft using laptops or other devices. With new screening measures in place, these restrictions are no longer considered necessary.

The announcement was made in a tweet last night:

With enhanced security measures in place, all restrictions on large PEDs announced in March for 10 airports/9 airlines have been lifted.

— ARCHIVED DHS Spokesperson (@SpoxDHS) July 19, 2017

The lifting of the ban means passengers on Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Kuwait Airways, EgyptAir and Royal Air Maroc flights into the US can take their laptops with them. A travel ban on people looking to arrive in the US from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen remains in place.

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