Britain has decided to follow the footsteps of United States amid potential terrorist threats. For an indefinite period, airline passengers coming from selected Muslim countries to the UK are banned from carrying gadgets bigger than a cellphone onto flights.
Countries affected by this ban are Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia. Any passenger coming from these countries must stow any gadgets they have on their checked in baggage, despite disapproval from passengers.
Intelligence reports said that terrorists are now planning to use gadgets to carry out terrorist attacks. Last year, the terrorist group al-Shabaab managed to blow a hole in the passenger cabin in a flight from Mogadishu, Somalia by using an explosive laptop. The plane was able to land safely, but if the plane was flying at a much higher altitude, it would've caused a bigger explosion which would have caused the plane to crash.
Theresa May already held a meeting with aviation expert in concern with this ban. A statement made by her spokesperson read: "Safety of the travelling public is our highest priority. That is why we keep aviation security under constant review and put in place measures that are necessary, effective and proportionate. Over the last few weeks, the PM has chaired a number of meetings on aviation security, most recently this morning, where it was agreed new measures will be introduced."
Incessant hassles and disruptions are expected to come out as the result of the ban. Government officials, however, assured the public that this move prioritizes their safety from potential terrorist threats. Although no incoming specific attack was mentioned by the government, they said it's just a more intensive protective measure.
All the airlines flying to the UK are now informed by these certain changes. They are given a couple of days to properly comply with the new requirements, or will be banned from flying to Britain.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
