United States, United Kingdom to ban electronic devices on planes; New regulations and rules explained

Both the United States and the United Kingdom have adopted new aviation security measures that restrict certain electronic devices on flights from certain airlines, airports, and countries. These came as the result of what appears to be new threat intelligence on new terrorist tactics.

According to ABC News, the US government learned that the associates of the Islamic State may be smuggling electronics with explosives on flights bound to the US. The sources add that while no precise target was mentioned, their restrictions were based on their assessment of the report.

"We know that our adversaries, terrorist groups in the United States and outside the United States, seek to bring down a US-bound airliner. That’s one of their highest value targets. And we’re doing everything we can right now to prevent that from happening," Rep. Eric Swalwell of California told the publication.

This prompted the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ban electronics bigger than smartphones from cabins of some direct flights to the US. Nine airlines and ten airports are affected by the measure.

However, the size of "devices" were not particularly specified. The DHS gave examples such as laptops, tablets and e-readers. Unfortunately, it added the list was not exhaustive.

The aforementioned airlines are EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Meanwhile, the airports affected by the US ban are Mohammed V International (Morocco), Ataturk Airport (Turkey), Cairo International Airport (Egypt), Queen Alia International, (Jordan), King Abdulaziz International and King Khalid International (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait International Airport, Hamad International (Qatar), Abu Dhabi International and Dubai International (United Arab Emirates).

On the other hand, the United Kingdom announced its new regulations hours after the US. According to the BBC, the new regulations included similar measures on banning electronic devices.

The UK notice also offered clearer parameters, as devices bigger than 16cm long, 9.3cm wide or 1.5cm deep will not be allowed in the cabin. It covers direct passenger flights from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey.