Homeland Security Bans Large Electronics From Airline Cabins On Some Flights

Passengers on flights to the United States from eight countries in the Middle East and Africa will not be allowed to bring any electronic devices bigger than a smartphone on board because of new security restrictions from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) notified a number of international carriers flying those routes that starting March 21st 2017, passengers will have to check iPads, Kindles, laptops and other devices before going through security or boarding because of safety concerns.

Nine carriers are being impacted by the new rule—Egyptair, Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

No U.S. airline will be affected as none flies nonstop from the 10 cities included—Cairo, Egypt; Dubai and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; Istanbul, Turkey; Doha, Qatar; Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City; Casablanca, Morocco; and Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—to the United States.

Both Royal Jordanian Airlines and Saudi Airlines confirmed the changes on Twitter on Tuesday morning. Royal Jordanian said that its flight To Montreal, which continues through Detroit, would also be affected.

UK Government has also implemented new security requirements for cabin baggage on direct flights from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Tunisia to the UK.