US will not ban laptops on European flights – but insists plan is ‘still on the table'

The US Department of Homeland Security revealed yesterday that it is still considering expanding its ban on laptops and other large electronics in airline cabins.

An insider had earlier claimed the security cabinet had been considering banning laptops on flights from Europe after placing similar restrictions on routes from 10 Middle Eastern airports.

Extending the ban to all European airports would affect nearly 400 flights a day and cover 30million travellers.

The Department’s secretary John Kelly spoke with European Home Affairs commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and transport commissioner Violeta Bulc about aviation security on Tuesday but made no announcement about adding European flights to the US’s laptop ban list.

Although he reportedly warned the officials a possible ban “is still on the table”.

David Lapan, a spokesman the security cabinent, said: “Secretary Kelly affirmed he will implement any and all measures necessary to secure commercial aircraft flying to the United States – including prohibiting large electronic devices from the passenger cabin – if the intelligence and threat level warrant it.”

Mr Lapan also said both sides agreed on the need to improve “aviation security globally, including through a range of potential seen and unseen enhancements”.

Last week Mr Kelly had also suggested he “might” ban laptops from airplane cabins on all international flights both into and out of the United States.

An EU Commission spokesman said Mr Kelly did not make an announcement about whether the US and added: “Both sides agreed to intensify talks both at technical and political levels to find common solutions to mitigate potential threats to aviation security and work together to step up security requirements.”

The Department of Homeland Security also declined to offer a timetable for making a decision on a possible ban and instead said it would be made by Mr Kelly based on a review of threats.

In March, the US announced laptop restrictions on flights originating from 10 airports in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, because of fears a concealed bomb could be installed in electronic devices taken onto aircraft.

The current US restrictions affect about 350 flights a week.