Britain follows US in banning certain electronic devices on flights

Britain Tuesday followed America’s lead in banning laptops and other electronic devices on UK-bound flights from six nations, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. Passengers on British Airways, EasyJet, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson, will not be allowed to take phones, laptops or tablets larger than 16cm in length, 9.3cm in width and 1.5cm in depth on board.

The US earlier banned large electronic devices, except for cell phones and medical devices, on flights on nine airlines from eight Muslim-majority countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Anything larger must be placed in checked luggage.

The US Homeland Security Department announced the ban because terrorists were exploring “Innovative methods” for bringing down jets and bombs could be hidden in laptops.