United States airlines are ready with new security measures that include stricter passenger screenings on all US-bound flights as they meet the 120-day deadline of the Trump administration designed to avoid an in-cabin ban on laptops.

The measures include short security interviews with passengers which would be in place by Thursday, Reuters quoted Airlines as saying.

The US announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

The restrictions were imposed in response to unspecified security threats and were lifted in July.

The Trump administration, however, said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security.

European and US officials told Reuters at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening.&nbsp;

The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing.

The new security measures will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 
countries, Reuters reported.

Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate. Economy passengers on 
Lufthansa&#39;s Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure.

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said it would suspend in-town check-in and self bag-drop services for passengers booked on direct flights to the United States. The airline said passengers would also have short security interviews and it has advised travelers to arrive three hours before departure.

Airlines for America, a US trade group, said the changes &quot;are complex security measures&quot; but praised US officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules.

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Director General Andrew Herdman said having a globally coordinated security approach made more sense than having destination-specific 
requirements.

&quot;This is not a positive,&quot; he said of the US measures at an industry conference in Taipei. &quot;It adds complexity.&quot;

US authorities in June also increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by US officials before they depart.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring US domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

The measures include stricter passenger screenings and short security interviews with passengers

United States airlines are ready with new security measures that include stricter passenger screenings on all US-bound flights as they meet the 120-day deadline of the Trump administration designed to avoid an in-cabin ban on laptops. The measures include short security interviews with passengers which would be in place by Thursday, Reuters quoted Airlines as saying. The US announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The restrictions were imposed in response to unspecified security threats and were lifted in July. The Trump administration, however, said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security. European and US officials told Reuters at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening. The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing. The new security measures will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries, Reuters reported. Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate. Economy passengers on Lufthansa's Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said it would suspend in-town check-in and self bag-drop services for passengers booked on direct flights to the United States. The airline said passengers would also have short security interviews and it has advised travelers to arrive three hours before departure. Airlines for America, a US trade group, said the changes "are complex security measures" but praised US officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules. Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Director General Andrew Herdman said having a globally coordinated security approach made more sense than having destination-specific requirements. "This is not a positive," he said of the US measures at an industry conference in Taipei. "It adds complexity." US authorities in June also increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by US officials before they depart. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring US domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

New security rules for US-bound air passengers kick-off Thursday

Kuwait Airways said Sunday that a ban on laptops and tablets in the cabins of its US-bound flights had been lifted by Washington.

&quot;Now our passengers flying from Kuwait International Airport to in #NY will be able to use all of their personal electronic devices,&quot; the emirate&#39;s flag carrier said on Twitter.

The United States in March barred all electronic devices larger than a mobile phone in the cabins of direct flights to the US from 10 airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, only allowing them in hold luggage.

The ban was brought in after intelligence officials learned of efforts by jihadists from the Islamic State group to produce a bomb that could be hidden inside such devices.

For the same reason, Britain also banned similar-sized electronics from the cabins of direct flights from six countries.

Etihad Airways on Sunday became the first airline to benefit from the lifting of the ban, with flights from the airline&#39;s base in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi no longer affected.

Dubai-based Emirates, Turkish Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabia&#39;s national airline have all said their passengers are now allowed to bring personal electronics on board direct flights to the US.

Flyers will now be able to carry laptops and tablets in the cabins of US bound flights

Kuwait Airways said Sunday that a ban on laptops and tablets in the cabins of its US-bound flights had been lifted by Washington. "Now our passengers flying from Kuwait International Airport to in #NY will be able to use all of their personal electronic devices," the emirate's flag carrier said on Twitter. The United States in March barred all electronic devices larger than a mobile phone in the cabins of direct flights to the US from 10 airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, only allowing them in hold luggage. The ban was brought in after intelligence officials learned of efforts by jihadists from the Islamic State group to produce a bomb that could be hidden inside such devices. For the same reason, Britain also banned similar-sized electronics from the cabins of direct flights from six countries. Etihad Airways on Sunday became the first airline to benefit from the lifting of the ban, with flights from the airline's base in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi no longer affected. Dubai-based Emirates, Turkish Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabia's national airline have all said their passengers are now allowed to bring personal electronics on board direct flights to the US.

Kuwait Airways says US laptop ban lifted

The United States has lifted the in-cabin ban on laptops and other large electronic devices on US-bound flights from Dubai and Istanbul, Emirates and Turkish Airlines said. 
The announcement came three days after the ban was lifted on Etihad Airways&#39; flights to the United States from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The ban on US flights from Dubai International, the world&#39;s busiest airport for international travel, has been lifted after new security measures announced by the US last week were implemented, an Emirates spokeswoman said.

Emirates, the Middle East&#39;s largest airline and which flies to 12 US cities, had blamed travel restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump&#39;s administration for a drop in demand for US flights.

The Dubai-based carrier cut flights to five US cities from May but had since said demand was starting to return on some routes.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines said in a statement that passengers travelling to the United States could now take their laptops onboard.

Emirates and Turkish Airlines are the only airlines that operate direct flights from Dubai and Istanbul, respectively, to the United States.

US transport officials visited Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines to check that the carriers have implemented the latest US security measures.

The three airlines have started the process to lift the in-cabin ban on laptops and other large electronic devices on US-bound flights by informing the TSA that they were ready to comply with the measures, TSA spokesman Mike England said.

Qatar Airways has not commented on the ban since the restrictions were lifted on Etihad Airways.

Turkish Airlines Chief Executive Bilal Eksi also tweeted that the airline expected to ban similar restrictions on flights to Britain. &nbsp; 
&quot;A technical team will come from Britain for an assessment within one week,&quot; Turkey&#39;s Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan said. &quot;I&#39;m sure they will lift that ban. There is no reason for the ban to continue.&quot;

The UK ban does not apply to flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Security officials were seen examining passengers&#39; laptop at Istanbul&#39;s Ataturk Airport following the lifting of restrictions.

&quot;When I was buying the ticket I thought &#39;shall I buy one for the day after just in case&#39;, but I bought one for today when they said it was being lifted,&quot; Emre Tokmak, a passenger on a Turkish Airlines morning flight to New York travelling with his laptop said.&nbsp;

In March the United States imposed the ban on direct flights originating at 10 airports in eight countries that are, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Turkey, to address fears that bombs could be concealed in electronic devices taken aboard aircraft.

Some airlines affected by the ban tried to soften the impact of the restrictions by allowing passengers to check in banned devices shortly before boarding and offering to loan tablets for use during the flight to those travelling in first or business class.

&quot;Whilst it is difficult to quantify the actual financial impact of the ban it&#39;s positive for those carriers for whom it&#39;s been lifted,&quot; aviation industry consultant John Strickland said.&quot;Perception is important for lucrative business travellers and this restores a sense of ease and convenience in using these carriers.&quot;

The United States announced on June 29 enhanced security measures for flights to the country which require additional time to screen passengers and personal electronic devices for possible explosives. The new measures, which take effect within three weeks of the announcement, will affect around 325,000 daily passengers travelling on 180 airlines from 280 airports around the world, according to the US Department of Homeland Security.

Airlines that fail to meet the new security requirements could still face in-cabin electronics restrictions.

Saudi Arabia Airlines (Saudia) expects the ban to be lifted on flights from Jeddah and Riyadh by July 19, state news agency SPA reported

The ban on US flights from Dubai International has been lifted after the announcement of new security measures by the US

The United States has lifted the in-cabin ban on laptops and other large electronic devices on US-bound flights from Dubai and Istanbul, Emirates and Turkish Airlines said. The announcement came three days after the ban was lifted on Etihad Airways' flights to the United States from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The ban on US flights from Dubai International, the world's busiest airport for international travel, has been lifted after new security measures announced by the US last week were implemented, an Emirates spokeswoman said. Emirates, the Middle East's largest airline and which flies to 12 US cities, had blamed travel restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump's administration for a drop in demand for US flights. The Dubai-based carrier cut flights to five US cities from May but had since said demand was starting to return on some routes. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines said in a statement that passengers travelling to the United States could now take their laptops onboard. Emirates and Turkish Airlines are the only airlines that operate direct flights from Dubai and Istanbul, respectively, to the United States. US transport officials visited Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines to check that the carriers have implemented the latest US security measures. The three airlines have started the process to lift the in-cabin ban on laptops and other large electronic devices on US-bound flights by informing the TSA that they were ready to comply with the measures, TSA spokesman Mike England said. Qatar Airways has not commented on the ban since the restrictions were lifted on Etihad Airways. Turkish Airlines Chief Executive Bilal Eksi also tweeted that the airline expected to ban similar restrictions on flights to Britain. "A technical team will come from Britain for an assessment within one week," Turkey's Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan said. "I'm sure they will lift that ban. There is no reason for the ban to continue." The UK ban does not apply to flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Security officials were seen examining passengers' laptop at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport following the lifting of restrictions. "When I was buying the ticket I thought 'shall I buy one for the day after just in case', but I bought one for today when they said it was being lifted," Emre Tokmak, a passenger on a Turkish Airlines morning flight to New York travelling with his laptop said. In March the United States imposed the ban on direct flights originating at 10 airports in eight countries that are, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Turkey, to address fears that bombs could be concealed in electronic devices taken aboard aircraft. Some airlines affected by the ban tried to soften the impact of the restrictions by allowing passengers to check in banned devices shortly before boarding and offering to loan tablets for use during the flight to those travelling in first or business class. "Whilst it is difficult to quantify the actual financial impact of the ban it's positive for those carriers for whom it's been lifted," aviation industry consultant John Strickland said."Perception is important for lucrative business travellers and this restores a sense of ease and convenience in using these carriers." The United States announced on June 29 enhanced security measures for flights to the country which require additional time to screen passengers and personal electronic devices for possible explosives. The new measures, which take effect within three weeks of the announcement, will affect around 325,000 daily passengers travelling on 180 airlines from 280 airports around the world, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. Airlines that fail to meet the new security requirements could still face in-cabin electronics restrictions. Saudi Arabia Airlines (Saudia) expects the ban to be lifted on flights from Jeddah and Riyadh by July 19, state news agency SPA reported

US lifts laptop ban on Emirates and Turkish Airlines

The United States announced Wednesday it would implement tough new security rules for all airlines flying into the country, but held off from a threatened expansion of its carry-on laptop ban.

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly said evolving terror threats made it imperative to raise overall security standards, rather than take a piecemeal approach on personal electronics.

&quot;Make no mistake: our enemies are constantly working to find new methods for disguising explosives, recruiting insiders, and hijacking aircraft,&quot; Kelly said.

&quot;We cannot play international whack-a-mole with each new threat. Instead, we must put in place new measures across the board to keep the traveling public safe and make it harder for terrorists to succeed.&quot;

The move put off for the moment an extension of the ban on laptops and other carry-on personal electronics to flights from Europe, something that had been under discussion for months.

The laptop ban was instituted in March for eight North African and Middle East countries based on intelligence that the Islamic State group was working to build a bomb into a tablet or laptop computer.

For the same reason, Britain also banned similar-sized electronics from being carried into cabins on direct flights from six countries.

In a speech at a conference of the Center for a New American Security, Kelly said the terror threat to airlines has not diminished.

&quot;In fact, I am concerned that we are seeing renewed interest on the part of terrorist groups to go after the aviation sector -- from bombing aircraft to attacking airports on the ground, as we saw in Brussels and Istanbul.&quot;

He said airlines and airports around the world would have to implement a mix of new technological and physical screening methods for passengers and their devices.

2,000 daily flights in focus&nbsp;

Homeland Security officials said the agency would issue directives to about 180 air carriers in 105 countries, including US carriers, that fly into the United States.

Collectively they operate about 2,000 US-bound flights each day carrying some 325,000 passengers.

Kelly also said the United States would push harder for foreign airports to accept &quot;preclearance&quot; immigration operations manned by US Customs and Border Patrol officials to process US-bound passengers before they board their flights.

Such operations have already been established in 15 locations in six countries, including Canada, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.

But it raises sensitive sovereignty issues to have US law enforcement officials operate inside another country.

US officials remained vague about the specific requirements of the new program.

Airlines will be pressed to adopt a mix of new measures, including installing new screening technology, making more use of chemical sniffer dogs, and other unspecified steps.

But the precise requirements in each case would depend on individual airlines, the airports they fly from, and their current levels of security. Some will have to make only minor improvements, they said.

Asked about timeframes, officials would only say that they would give adequate time for the airlines to adapt.

&quot;We are raising the bar globally&quot; for security standards, said one senior official who declined to be identified.

They also said they expect nearly all carriers to be able to meet the new standards.

Those that cannot or will not, they said, would be forced to reject all passenger electronics, either in the cabin or hold of the aircraft, or may even find themselves unable to fly to the United States.

(AFP)

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly said evolving terror threats made it imperative to raise overall security standards

The United States announced Wednesday it would implement tough new security rules for all airlines flying into the country, but held off from a threatened expansion of its carry-on laptop ban. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly said evolving terror threats made it imperative to raise overall security standards, rather than take a piecemeal approach on personal electronics. "Make no mistake: our enemies are constantly working to find new methods for disguising explosives, recruiting insiders, and hijacking aircraft," Kelly said. "We cannot play international whack-a-mole with each new threat. Instead, we must put in place new measures across the board to keep the traveling public safe and make it harder for terrorists to succeed." The move put off for the moment an extension of the ban on laptops and other carry-on personal electronics to flights from Europe, something that had been under discussion for months. The laptop ban was instituted in March for eight North African and Middle East countries based on intelligence that the Islamic State group was working to build a bomb into a tablet or laptop computer. For the same reason, Britain also banned similar-sized electronics from being carried into cabins on direct flights from six countries. In a speech at a conference of the Center for a New American Security, Kelly said the terror threat to airlines has not diminished. "In fact, I am concerned that we are seeing renewed interest on the part of terrorist groups to go after the aviation sector -- from bombing aircraft to attacking airports on the ground, as we saw in Brussels and Istanbul." He said airlines and airports around the world would have to implement a mix of new technological and physical screening methods for passengers and their devices. 2,000 daily flights in focus Homeland Security officials said the agency would issue directives to about 180 air carriers in 105 countries, including US carriers, that fly into the United States. Collectively they operate about 2,000 US-bound flights each day carrying some 325,000 passengers. Kelly also said the United States would push harder for foreign airports to accept "preclearance" immigration operations manned by US Customs and Border Patrol officials to process US-bound passengers before they board their flights. Such operations have already been established in 15 locations in six countries, including Canada, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. But it raises sensitive sovereignty issues to have US law enforcement officials operate inside another country. US officials remained vague about the specific requirements of the new program. Airlines will be pressed to adopt a mix of new measures, including installing new screening technology, making more use of chemical sniffer dogs, and other unspecified steps. But the precise requirements in each case would depend on individual airlines, the airports they fly from, and their current levels of security. Some will have to make only minor improvements, they said. Asked about timeframes, officials would only say that they would give adequate time for the airlines to adapt. "We are raising the bar globally" for security standards, said one senior official who declined to be identified. They also said they expect nearly all carriers to be able to meet the new standards. Those that cannot or will not, they said, would be forced to reject all passenger electronics, either in the cabin or hold of the aircraft, or may even find themselves unable to fly to the United States. (AFP)

US to implement tough new security rules for all airlines flying into the country

The United States might ban laptops from aircraft cabins on all flights in and out of the country as part of a ramped-up effort to protect against potential security threats, US&nbsp;Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on Sunday.

In an interview on &quot;Fox News Sunday,&quot; Kelly said the United States planned to &quot;raise the bar&quot; on airline security, including tightening screening of carry-on items.

&quot;That&#39;s the thing that they are obsessed with, the terrorists, the idea of knocking down an airplane in flight, particularly if it&#39;s a US&nbsp;carrier, particularly if it&#39;s full of US&nbsp;people.&quot;

In March, the government imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey.

Kelly said the move would be part of a broader airline security effort to combat what he called &quot;a real sophisticated threat.&quot; He said no decision had been made as to the timing of any ban.

&quot;We are still following the intelligence,&quot; he said, &quot;and are in the process of defining this, but we&#39;re going to raise the bar generally speaking for aviation much higher than it is now.&quot;

Airlines are concerned that a broad ban on laptops may erode customer demand. But none wants an incident aboard one of its airplanes.

&quot;Whatever comes out, we&#39;ll have to comply with,&quot; Oscar Munoz, chief executive officer of United Airlines, told the company&#39;s annual meeting last week.

Airlines were blindsided in January when President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning entry for 90 days to citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, sending airlines scrambling to determine who could board and who could not. The order was later blocked in the courts.

In the case of laptops, the administration is keeping the industry in the loop. Delta Air Lines said in a statement it &quot;continues to be in close contact with the US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security,&quot; while Munoz applauded the administration for giving the company a &quot;heads up.&quot;

&quot;We&#39;ve had constant updates on the subject,&quot; he said. &quot;We know more than most. And again, if there&#39;s a credible threat out there, we need to make sure we take the appropriate measures.&quot;

More scrutiny of carry-ons

Among the enhanced security measures will likely be tighter screening of carry-on items to allow Transport Security Administration (TSA) agents to discern problematic items in tightly stuffed bags.

Kelly said that in order to avoid paying fees for checking bags, people were stuffing them to the point where it was difficult to see through the clutter.

&quot;The more stuff is in there, the less the TSA professionals that are looking at what&#39;s in those bags through the monitors can tell what&#39;s in them.&quot;

The TSA has begun testing certain new procedures at a limited number of airports, requiring people to remove additional items from carry-on bags for separate screenings.

Asked whether the government would expand such measures nationwide, Kelly said: &quot;We might, and likely will.&quot;

(Reuters)

The government had previously imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports

The United States might ban laptops from aircraft cabins on all flights in and out of the country as part of a ramped-up effort to protect against potential security threats, US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on Sunday. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Kelly said the United States planned to "raise the bar" on airline security, including tightening screening of carry-on items. "That's the thing that they are obsessed with, the terrorists, the idea of knocking down an airplane in flight, particularly if it's a US carrier, particularly if it's full of US people." In March, the government imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey. Kelly said the move would be part of a broader airline security effort to combat what he called "a real sophisticated threat." He said no decision had been made as to the timing of any ban. "We are still following the intelligence," he said, "and are in the process of defining this, but we're going to raise the bar generally speaking for aviation much higher than it is now." Airlines are concerned that a broad ban on laptops may erode customer demand. But none wants an incident aboard one of its airplanes. "Whatever comes out, we'll have to comply with," Oscar Munoz, chief executive officer of United Airlines, told the company's annual meeting last week. Airlines were blindsided in January when President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning entry for 90 days to citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, sending airlines scrambling to determine who could board and who could not. The order was later blocked in the courts. In the case of laptops, the administration is keeping the industry in the loop. Delta Air Lines said in a statement it "continues to be in close contact with the US Department of Homeland Security," while Munoz applauded the administration for giving the company a "heads up." "We've had constant updates on the subject," he said. "We know more than most. And again, if there's a credible threat out there, we need to make sure we take the appropriate measures." More scrutiny of carry-ons Among the enhanced security measures will likely be tighter screening of carry-on items to allow Transport Security Administration (TSA) agents to discern problematic items in tightly stuffed bags. Kelly said that in order to avoid paying fees for checking bags, people were stuffing them to the point where it was difficult to see through the clutter. "The more stuff is in there, the less the TSA professionals that are looking at what's in those bags through the monitors can tell what's in them." The TSA has begun testing certain new procedures at a limited number of airports, requiring people to remove additional items from carry-on bags for separate screenings. Asked whether the government would expand such measures nationwide, Kelly said: "We might, and likely will." (Reuters)

US might ban laptops on all flights into and out of the country

US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Sunday said he was considering banning laptop computers on international flights into and out of the country amid signs of &quot;a real threat.&quot;

Kelly made his remarks during the Memorial Day weekend, one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, 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 -- may be planned.

&quot;There&#39;s a real threat -- numerous threats against aviation,&quot; Kelly told the Fox News Sunday program when asked about the likelihood a wide-reaching ban on large electronics in airplane cabins could be imposed.

Terrorists are &quot;obsessed&quot; with the idea of &quot;knocking down an airplane in flight -- particularly a US carrier, if it&#39;s full of mostly US folks,&quot; the homeland security chief said.

But in an interview on NBC&#39;s &quot;Meet the Press&quot; later, Kelly specified that despite ongoing and persistent concerns, &quot;we have no specific threats right now.&quot; &nbsp;

A laptop ban could disrupt travel between Europe and America. Some 3,250 flights a week are expected this summer between European Union countries and the United States, according to aviation industry figures.

If put in place, a laptop ban would greatly expand on a rule Kelly announced in March banning electronic devices larger than a smartphone from the cabins of flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa.

The rule affects Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

Britain took similar measures in March targeting a smaller list of countries: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

In Europe last week during President Donald Trump&#39;s nine-day foreign trip, Kelly met with European Commission officials in Brussels to discuss a possible laptop ban in airplane cabins.

(AFP)

US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said extremists were 'obsessed' with bringing down a US plane

US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Sunday said he was considering banning laptop computers on international flights into and out of the country amid signs of "a real threat." Kelly made his remarks during the Memorial Day weekend, one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, 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 -- may be planned. "There's a real threat -- numerous threats against aviation," Kelly told the Fox News Sunday program when asked about the likelihood a wide-reaching ban on large electronics in airplane cabins could be imposed. 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," the homeland security chief said. But in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" later, Kelly specified that despite ongoing and persistent concerns, "we have no specific threats right now." A laptop ban could disrupt travel between Europe and America. Some 3,250 flights a week are expected this summer between European Union countries and the United States, according to aviation industry figures. If put in place, a laptop ban would greatly expand on a rule Kelly announced in March banning electronic devices larger than a smartphone from the cabins of flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa. The rule affects Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. Britain took similar measures in March targeting a smaller list of countries: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. In Europe last week during President Donald Trump's nine-day foreign trip, Kelly met with European Commission officials in Brussels to discuss a possible laptop ban in airplane cabins. (AFP)

US mulls banning laptops on international flights over security concerns

The IS and al Qaeda terror groups, developing a bomb small enough to fit in a laptop that could get past airport scanners, may have prompted the US and the UK to ban air travellers from eight Muslim-majority nations from carrying large electronic devices onboard, media reports have said.

According to new intelligence, the terror groups have been testing the new bomb on airport scanners they have obtained.

The concern about such an explosive hidden in a laptop or an electronic device prompted the US and the UK to prohibit travelers flying out of 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and Africa from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices aboard planes.

&quot;As a matter of policy, we do not publicly discuss specific intelligence information. However, evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in electronics,&quot; CBS News quoted a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

&quot;The US government continually re-assesses existing intelligence and collects new intelligence. This allows DHS and TSA to constantly evaluate our aviation security processes and policies and make enhancements to keep passengers safe. To that end, we use a robust security system that employs multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen,&quot; it said.

The military and intelligence community have become increasingly concerned in the last few months about the potential ability of terror outfits to get bombs on board airplanes, according to several US officials.

The US has been tracking specific intelligence from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), al Qaeda in Syria and ISIS, officials told CNN.

FBI experts have tested variants of the laptop bombs using different battery and explosive configurations to assess how difficult it would be for airport screeners to detect them, it said.

The airline restriction, which took effect March 21, bans many electronic items from the cabins of planes flying directly to the US from Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.&nbsp;

(PTI)

According to new intelligence, the terror groups have been testing the new bomb on airport scanners they have obtained

The IS and al Qaeda terror groups, developing a bomb small enough to fit in a laptop that could get past airport scanners, may have prompted the US and the UK to ban air travellers from eight Muslim-majority nations from carrying large electronic devices onboard, media reports have said. According to new intelligence, the terror groups have been testing the new bomb on airport scanners they have obtained. The concern about such an explosive hidden in a laptop or an electronic device prompted the US and the UK to prohibit travelers flying out of 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and Africa from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices aboard planes. "As a matter of policy, we do not publicly discuss specific intelligence information. However, evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in electronics," CBS News quoted a statement from the Department of Homeland Security. "The US government continually re-assesses existing intelligence and collects new intelligence. This allows DHS and TSA to constantly evaluate our aviation security processes and policies and make enhancements to keep passengers safe. To that end, we use a robust security system that employs multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen," it said. The military and intelligence community have become increasingly concerned in the last few months about the potential ability of terror outfits to get bombs on board airplanes, according to several US officials. The US has been tracking specific intelligence from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), al Qaeda in Syria and ISIS, officials told CNN. FBI experts have tested variants of the laptop bombs using different battery and explosive configurations to assess how difficult it would be for airport screeners to detect them, it said. The airline restriction, which took effect March 21, bans many electronic items from the cabins of planes flying directly to the US from Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. (PTI)

Terror outfits' new laptop bombs may evade airport security

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