Passengers flying to the UK from six countries will now have to stow laptops, tablets and larger electronic devices in their checked-in luggage. This comes after a similar ban was put in place by the US earlier in the week.
This move impacts thousands of passengers flying from six Muslim-majority countries. The British Government has said this is in reaction to specific intelligence reports. While Downing Street refused to discuss any specific terror threat, a spokesperson did confirm the move.
A No 10 spokesman said: “The safety and security of the travelling public is our highest priority. That is why we keep our aviation security under constant review and put in place measures we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate.”
Effective immediately, passengers flying from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudia Arabia will be banned from carrying devices measure more than 16cm in length, 9.3cm in width or 1.5cm in depth. All such devices must be placed in the hold luggage and checked-in.