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UK joins US in banning electronic devices in cabins on direct flights from Muslim-majority nations

Credit: BBC

After US authorities announced late on Monday that electronic devices larger than a mobile phone will be prohibited in the passenger cabin on flights from 10 airports in eight Muslim-majority countries, the UK also imposed the same ban on direct flights to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement by the UK government late on Tuesday, the ban follows a similar move in the US, where officials say explosives could be hidden in such devices.

The UK has given specific details about the size of electronic devices that are not allowed in the cabin, applying to any device larger than 16 centimeters long, 9.3 centimeters wide or 1.5 deep, which also includes some smartphones, although most fall within these limits.

According to BBC news, UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said, “We understand the frustration that these measures may cause, and we are working with the aviation industry to minimize any impact.”

The UK government said it is up to individual airlines to decide when to begin enforcing the ban and that passengers should contact their airline for more information.

The ban includes six UK carriers — British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson — and eight overseas carriers — Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines.

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