US may expand laptop ban to European flights: report

["Dave Farber" <dave () farber net>]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Richard Forno <rforno () infowarrior org>
Date: Tue, May 9, 2017 at 8:20 PM
Subject: US may expand laptop ban to European flights: report
To: Infowarrior List <infowarrior () attrition org>
Cc: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>


US may expand laptop ban to European flights: report

By Melanie Zanona - 05/09/17 11:52 AM EDT 5

http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/332523-us-may-expand-laptop-ban-to-include-european-flights-report

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is allegedly considering
expanding a laptop ban on certain flights from the Middle East and Africa
to include U.S.-bound flights from Europe and the United Kingdom.

CBS News reported Monday night that DHS officials are actively weighing the
benefits and possible travel disruptions associated with widening the
security measure, with officials regularly meeting with U.S. airlines to
discuss the issue.

A decision could be made in the next few weeks, according to the report,
which would put it ahead of the busy summer travel season.

"We have not made any decisions on expanding the electronics ban; however,
we are continuously assessing security directives based on intelligence and
will make changes when necessary to keep travelers safe,” a Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson said in a statement.

The DHS implemented a new policy in March prohibiting passengers from
carrying electronic devices larger than a cellphone — such as laptops,
tablets, cameras and portable DVD players — onto the cabins of certain
U.S.-bound flights. Those items can still be stowed in checked luggage,
however.
The indefinite ban applies to 10 different airports in Jordan, Turkey,
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

The DHS has repeatedly signaled that the ban could be expanded to other
airports and cities.

Senior administration officials said the new security protocols come in
response to intelligence that indicates terrorist groups are “aggressively
pursuing innovative methods” to smuggle explosive devices onto commercial
flights.

The U.S. government has long been concerned about terrorists hiding
explosives in consumer electronics and trying to build bombs with little or
no metal, but new intelligence may have spurred the recent airline action.

But the electronics ban has worried travel advocates, who fear it will hurt
global business and tourism.

A number of Gulf carriers impacted by the policy have come up with
workarounds, such as offering loaner laptops on flights or allowing
passengers to check large electronics at the gate just prior to boarding.



-------------------------------------------
Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/=now
RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/247/18849915-ae8fa580
Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=18849915&id_secret=18849915-aa268125
Unsubscribe Now: 
https://www.listbox.com/unsubscribe/?member_id=18849915&id_secret=18849915-32545cb4&post_id=20170509202244:C6E0D3BE-3516-11E7-955F-B14B7A351D4D
Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com