UK bans the use of tablets and laptops on flights from 6 countries

 The United Kingdom is set to ban passengers from carrying some electronic devices. The devices set to be banned include laptops and tablets,The restriction is on planes coming from 10 airports in Muslim-majority countries .

6 Middle Eastern countries are affected by the ban on electronic devices which might last for a while

On Tuesday, March 21, Britain announced a ban on passengers from carrying most electronic devices on flights from certain countries in the Middle East.

This follows the United States announcing a similar restriction on electronic devices bigger than cellphones on planes coming from 10 airports in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

This was because of unspecified security threats received by the US. The British government announced that Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are the affected countries.

According to The Guardian UK, the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said the UK had been in close touch with the US to understand their approach.

In a statement written to parliament he said: “The UK has one of the most robust aviation security measures in the world and at all times the safety and security of the public is our primary concern.

“We understand the frustration that these measures may cause and we are working with the aviation industry to minimise any impact. Our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals."

EgyptAir said it received instructions from U.S. transport authorities imposing restrictions on electronic devices carried by incoming travelers and will bring them into effect on March 24.

The spokesperson said: “Based on the instructions coming from transport authorities in the U. S. regarding placing electronic devices in the hold beneath the plane and not the cabin, EgyptAir will implement this decision on all travelers heading to the U.S. as of Friday, March 24.”

The banned devices include laptops, tablets, cameras, E-readers, portable DVD players, electronic games units, travel printers, and scanners from cabin luggage on certain flights originating from eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Also, Emirates Airline from Dubai, said in an e-mailed statement the directive comes into effect on March 25, and is valid until October 14.

The new rule affects nonstop U.S.-bound flights from 10 international airports in the cities of Cairo in Egypt, Amman in Jordan, Kuwait City in Kuwait.

Others places are: Casablanca in Morocco, Doha in Qatar, Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Istanbul in Turkey, and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The Trump administration announced that the Department of Homeland Security will require passengers coming to the U. S. from airports in Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Morocco and Qatar to check electronic devices larger than a cell phone such as tablets, portable DVD players, laptops and cameras.