Gadget ban How terror threat prompted airline crackdown

Q What has happened?

A Britain has banned passengers flying from Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Turkey from carrying laptops, tablets and other electronic devices on board.

Devices more than 16cm long, 9.3cm wide and 1.5cm deep will have to be stowed with hold luggage. This includes large phones, handheld game devices, e-readers such as Kindles and DVD players. It comes after the US announced a ban affecting people flying from eight countries,

Q Which airlines will be affected?

A The Government says the move will affect six British airlines: British Airways, easyJet, Jet 2, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson. It will also affect Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Atlas Global, Egypt Air, Tunisair, Royal Jordanian and Saudia.

Q When is it coming into force and what can I expect?

A The ban will be implemented within days, No 10 said. People flying from those nations will be required to show security their electronic devices at the airport. If there is a dispute they must pass them through a post box to prove they are the correct size.

Q Why is this happening?

A While British officials are declining to comment, the US has said the ban was enacted after intelligence that terrorists are targeting flights by smuggling explosives on portable electronic devices.

Security experts were alarmed by an incident last year when terrorists from al-Shabaab smuggled an explosivefilled laptop on a flight out of Somalia, blowing a hole in the plane. It was low enough to land safely. US officials told CNN the ban is related to a threat by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula.

Q What does the Government say?

A It acknowledges that the restrictions will cause disruption, but says that its top priority is maintaining the safety of Britons.

Q Will other European nations follow suit?

A Yes. While no announcements have been shared yet, the security services have been in contact with agencies across the world.