Computers: Airport Security Clearance Or Still Grounded?

In March 2017, the United States and the United Kingdom banned passengers from bringing electronic devices larger than a smartphone into the cabins of flights from certain Middle Eastern, North African, and European airports. This was in response to intelligence suggesting that terrorist groups were developing methods to conceal explosives in laptop batteries. The ban has since been lifted, but the discussion surrounding the potential expansion of this ban to flights originating in the US and the risk of lithium batteries catching fire remains relevant.

The US and UK banned electronics on flights from certain Middle Eastern and North African airports in 2017

In March 2017, the US government issued an order banning electronics beyond the size of a mobile phone on carry-on luggage for direct flights from 10 major airports in the Middle East and North Africa. The UK also issued a similar ban, covering a different range of airports and airlines, including low-cost airlines.

The ban was implemented in response to intelligence suggesting that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was planning to conceal explosives in the batteries and compartments of large electronic devices, which could not be detected by current aviation security scanners. Additionally, there were concerns about ISIS developing bombs hidden in portable electronics. The ban aimed to address these security threats and prevent potential attacks on commercial flights.

The affected airports were located in Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. All electronics, except cell phones and approved medical devices, were banned from being carried into the cabin. Passengers had to check their electronic devices, including laptops and tablets, into their luggage.

The ban caused controversy, with some arguing that it was a protectionist measure to shield major US airlines from competition rather than a security concern. It also impacted business travellers, who were unable to work during their flights and faced increased risks of theft or damage to their electronic equipment.

In July 2017, the US and UK governments lifted the electronics ban, citing improved airport security. No airports are currently subject to the US electronics ban.

The ban was in response to intelligence that terrorists were developing explosives that resembled laptop batteries

In 2017, the United States government issued an order banning electronic devices beyond the size of a mobile phone from being carried onto flights departing from 10 major airports in the Middle East and travelling to the United States. The UK implemented a similar ban, but covering a different range of airports and airlines, including low-cost airlines. The ban was in direct response to intelligence that terrorists were developing explosives that resembled laptop batteries and could be hidden in portable electronic devices.

The ban was based on intelligence that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was planning to conceal explosives in the batteries and compartments of large electronic equipment, which would not be detectable by current aviation security scanners. This was supported by information gathered by Israeli hackers from bombmakers in Syria, which indicated that terrorists were indeed trying to make explosives that resembled laptop batteries.

The ban was lifted in July 2017, with the US government citing improved airport security. However, the selective nature of the ban, as well as the safety risks of storing electronic devices with lithium batteries in the cargo hold, drew criticism from the International Air Transport Association and the media.

The ban has been criticised for increasing the risk of fires and identity theft

In 2017, the US government issued an order banning electronics larger than a mobile phone from carry-on luggage for direct flights departing from 10 major airports in the Middle East and travelling to the United States. The UK also implemented a similar ban, but for a different range of airports and airlines. This ban has been criticised for two main reasons. Firstly, the selective nature of the ban has been accused of being a protectionist measure to shield major US airlines from increasing competition from major airlines in the Middle East, rather than for security reasons. Secondly, the ban has been criticised for increasing the risk of fires and identity theft.

The ban has been criticised for increasing the risk of fires because of the risk of putting electronics containing lithium batteries together in the cargo hold. This risk is so significant that some airlines have banned batteries from being checked into the cargo hold. For example, UPS Airlines Flight 6 crashed due to an uncontained fire caused by lithium batteries.

In addition, the ban has been criticised for increasing the risk of identity theft. Business travellers, who are unable to work during the flight, may be required by their companies to hold on to their equipment, which is then at risk of getting stolen, damaged, or hacked if they are checked in. Many of these travellers would rather travel through an airline not affected by the ban.

Furthermore, the ban has been criticised for causing disruption and inconvenience to travellers and airlines. Emirates President Tim Clark said that the ban would be "hugely disruptive" and that Dubai has "equal capabilities or better than the Europeans, the Americans and the Asians in terms of search, interdiction and surveillance". Affected airlines took measures to try and mitigate the effects of the ban, such as allowing passengers to use their large electronic equipment at the gate, up to the moment of boarding, and offering free Wi-Fi to all business and first-class passengers travelling to the US.

The ban was lifted in July 2017, with the US introducing new security guidelines for all 105 countries

In March 2017, the US government issued an order banning electronics beyond the size of a mobile phone on carry-on luggage for direct flights departing from 10 major airports in the Middle East and North Africa and travelling to the US. The UK also implemented a similar ban, but for a different range of airports and airlines. This was in response to intelligence that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was planning to conceal explosives in large electronic equipment that would not be detectable by current aviation security scanners.

The ban was controversial for two reasons. Firstly, it was seen by some as a protectionist measure to shield major US airlines from increasing competition from major airlines in the Middle East, rather than a necessary security measure. Secondly, there were concerns about the safety risk of putting electronics containing lithium batteries together in the cargo hold, which could increase the risk of fire.

In July 2017, the ban was lifted, with the US introducing new security guidelines for all 105 countries. The US also began to lift the existing ban on Middle Eastern airlines that complied with the new security guidelines. For example, on 2 July 2017, Etihad Airways was exempted from the ban after updating their passenger screenings. On 5 July 2017, the laptop ban was lifted on US-bound flights from Dubai (Emirates) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) after the implementation of new security measures. The electronics ban on US-bound flights from Doha (Qatar Airways) was lifted on 6 July 2017, and the electronics ban was completely lifted on 20 July 2017.

Some airlines have their own rules regarding laptops and MacBooks, so passengers should check with their airline before travelling

In 2017, the US government issued a ban on electronics larger than a mobile phone on carry-on luggage for direct flights travelling to the US from 10 major airports in the Middle East. This was due to intelligence that Al-Qaeda was planning on using batteries and compartments of large electronic equipment to conceal explosives. The UK also implemented a similar ban, covering a different range of airports and airlines.

The US ban was lifted in July 2017, but there have been discussions since then about the possibility of expanding the ban to include flights from Europe. This has not been implemented, but it is always worth checking the latest travel advice before travelling.

In addition to country-specific regulations, some airlines have their own rules regarding laptops and MacBooks, so passengers should check with their airline before travelling. For example, American Airlines states that passengers can bring up to two laptops for personal use and two spare batteries, but no more without special permission. Qantas has banned all 15-inch MacBook Pro computers from checked luggage, but still allows them in carry-on bags, while Virgin Australia has banned all Apple MacBooks from checked baggage.

If you are travelling with multiple laptops, it is recommended to keep them in your carry-on luggage to avoid damage or theft. TSA rules state that laptops must be removed from their case and placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening.

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