US seriously considering banning laptops from all international flights

It has only been a few weeks since the Donald Trump administration put a laptop ban in place on planes coming in from certain countries in the Middle East.

Following America’s example, the United Kingdom also came up with its own version of the laptop ban, but it did not affect flights from Qatar. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker tried to play down the move, saying it was not aimed at Middle Eastern carriers, but it is understood he has since withdrawn the view.

Understandably, passengers from Qatar were far from happy and they let it be known as well.

However, now there comes news that the USA may extend the laptop ban to all international flights going in and out of America.

US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said he was considering banning laptop computers on international flights into and out of the country, amid signs of ‘a real threat,’ reported Gulf Times.

He made his remarks during the Memorial Day weekend, one of the busiest travel periods in the US, and at a time when the bombing at a concert in Manchester, England has raised concerns that further attacks — possibly involving explosives packed in electronic devices — might be planned.

“There’s a real threat — numerous threats against aviation,” Kelly told the Fox New Sunday program, when asked about the likelihood that a wide-reaching ban on large electronics in airplane cabins could be imposed.

The US homeland security chief said terrorists are ‘obsessed’ with the idea of ‘knocking down an airplane in flight — particularly a US carrier, if it’s full of mostly US folks.’

Kelly said the move would be part of a broader effort to tighten airline security to combat what he called ‘a real sophisticated threat.’ He said no decision has been made as to the timing of any ban, reported Qatar Tribune.

“We’re still following the intelligence and are in the process of defining this, but we’re going to raise the bar generally speaking for aviation much higher than it’s now,” he said.

In March, the government imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports, including the UAE, Qatar and Turkey.

A ban could seriously disrupt flights between Europe and the US. Some 3,250 a week are expected this summer between European Union countries and the US, according to aviation industry figures.