The fear of laptop bomb has triggered off the electronics
ban onboard airplanes entering the United States of America (USA) and lately
United Kingdom (UK), reports ITRealms.
The new rules, ITRealms gathered has been confirmed by US
Department of Homeland Security and UK authorities’ ban, both linked to
suspected plans by terrorist groups based on intelligence report.
Britain, according to PA, has taken the dramatic move to ban
laptop computers and tablets from the cabins of planes flying to the UK from
six countries, amid fears of a new terror threat.
The move affecting thousands of passengers coming from six
predominantly-Muslim countries mirrors a similar measure imposed by the US,
citing an attempt by the Islamist al-Shabaab group to bring down a jet in
Somalia using a laptop bomb.
The British Government’s decision follows the receipt of
specific intelligence reports, according to security sources.
Downing Street officials refused to discuss any specific
terrorist plot, but action hitting 15 airlines with the extra restrictions was
taken after Theresa May met aviation experts on Tuesday morning.
Ministers said they understood the “frustration” the extra
measures would cause passengers but said they are working with the industry to
minimise the impact.
A No 10 spokesman said: “The safety and security of the
travelling public is our highest priority.
“That is why we keep our aviation security under constant
review and put in place measures we believe are necessary, effective and
proportionate.”
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passengers from carrying electronic devices on 12 airlines
The six countries affected are: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan,
Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. Devices measuring more than 16cm in length,
9.3cm in width, or 1.5cm depth will be banned from the cabin and need to be
placed into hold luggage and checked-in before going through security.
Also, Downing Street said the measure was effective
immediately, but would not give details as to why the decision had been taken
now. No 10 did say UK security services have been “in close touch” with their
US counterparts during the decision to implement the ban.
The US electronics measure, announced late on Monday,
affected nine airlines flying from 10 specific airports in Jordan, Egypt,
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar and the UAE, including Dubai, the
world’s busiest airport for international travellers.
An incident last year appears to have caused particular
alarm, after al-Shabaab smuggled an explosive-filled laptop on a flight out of
Mogadishu. The explosion was small, but the bomb was particularly placed by the
extremist so as to blow a hole in the side of the passenger cabin.
Experts said that if the plane was at a higher altitude, the
small blast in the passenger area could have triggered a bigger explosion due
to the pressurised cabin and caused the jet to crash.
Pix: Shutters image
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