The US Department of Homeland Security has set out new rules that ban airline passengers from taking electronic tablets, Kindles, and laptops into the flight cabin. All devices except mobile phones and some personal medical equipment must be checked-in. The ban will come into effect on Friday.
Here the department sets out why it has taken the measures. The following has been edited.
Why is the US Government taking these steps now? Are these new policies in response to a specific terrorist threat or plot?
The US Government is concerned about terrorists’ continuing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 airliner downing in Egypt, the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia, and the 2016 armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul. Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.
Did new intelligence drive a decision to modify security procedures?
Yes, intelligence is one aspect of every security-related decision. The record of terrorist attempts to destroy aircraft in flight is long-standing and well-known. We continually re-assess old intelligence and collect new intelligence.
How did you select these airports and which ones are affected?
DHS, in close cooperation with our intelligence community partners, selected these airports based on the current threat picture. The affected overseas airports are: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Cairo International Airport (CAI), Ataturk International Airport (IST), King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED), King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Mohammed V Airport (CMN), Hamad International Airport (DOH), Dubai International Airport (DXB), and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
How long will these new procedures remain in place?
The new procedures remain in place until the threat changes. These are risk-based decisions and TSA continuously assesses security risks and seeks to balance necessary security requirements with their operational effect on the industry.
How are you defining, "larger than a smart phone?"
The size and shape of smart phones varies by brand. Smartphones are commonly available around the world and their size is well understood by most passengers who fly internationally. Please check with your airline if you are not sure whether your smartphone is affected.
Will the security procedures continue to apply to both international and domestic passengers?
This applies to all passengers travelling from 10 specific airports overseas.
Why are you only implementing these measures overseas, could the same tactics be used domestically?
Electronic devices will still be allowed on all flights originating in the United States. Security procedures, both seen and unseen, are in place to mitigate the risk to flights in the United States.
How many flights does this affect?
This will only effect flights from 10 of the more than 250 airports that serve as last points of departure to the United States. This will only effect a small percentage of flights to the United States. The exact number of flights will vary on a day-to-day basis.
How will this affect the screening process at the airport?
Generally, passengers will be instructed to place large electronic devices in their checked bags when travelling from one of the last point of departure airports. We provided guidance to the airlines who will determine how to implement and inform their passengers.
How will this affect passengers with connections?
TSA recommends passengers transferring at one of the 10 affected airports place any large personal electronic devices in their checked bags upon check-in at their originating airport.
Can you provide any examples of recent terrorist plotting against the aviation sector? Please highlight the trend you’re concerned about.
We note that disseminated propaganda from various terrorist groups is encouraging attacks on aviation, to include tactics to circumvent aviation security. Terrorist propaganda has highlighted the attacks against aircraft in Egypt with a soda can packed with explosives in October 2015, and in Somalia using an explosives-laden laptop in February 2016.
Terrorists have historically tried to hide explosives in shoes in 2001, use liquid explosives in 2006, and conceal explosives in printers in 2010 and suicide devices in underwear in 2009 and 2012. Within the last year, we have also seen attacks conducted at airports to include in Brussels and Istanbul.
How will this be implemented?
The Airlines will have 96 hours to implement. The manner of an EA/SD is to tell an airline the end result required (no electronic devices larger than a cell phone allowed in the cabin) and allow them the flexibility to implement within their business model.
Does this start tomorrow?
Airlines were notified on March 21st at 8:00am. EDT. They have 96 hours within which to comply.
How long will these enhanced security measures be in effect?
These measures will be in effect indefinitely. However, DHS and TSA continue to evaluate our aviation security processes and policies based on the most recent intelligence.

Source: The National