What to know about the new security rule on some US-bound flights
The rule affects passengers on flights from eight Muslim-majority nations.
— -- Passengers flying directly to the United States from several airports in the Middle East will have to stow their laptops, tablets and other large electronics in their checked luggage as a result of a new rule issued the Department of Homeland Security.
Senior U.S. administration officials said Monday evening that nine foreign air carriers have until Saturday morning to implement the new rule or risk losing their license to operate in the United States.
The directive has sparked many questions from the public. Here's a breakdown of the new security measure:
Which airports are affected?
The rule affects only passengers flying directly from the airports mentioned in the directive: Queen Alia International Airport (Jordan), Cairo International Airport (Egypt), Ataturk International Airport (Turkey), King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (Saudi Arabia), King Khalid International Airport (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait International Airport, Mohammed V Airport (Morocco), Hamad International Airport (Qatar), Dubai International Airport (United Arab Emirates) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (United Arab Emirates). All flights originating from other airports are unaffected by the new security measure.
Which devices have to be stowed?
Among the restricted items listed on the DHS website are laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, electronic game units larger than a smartphone and travel printers or scanners.
Crew members will still be allowed to take laptops, tablets and larger electronic devices in carry-on bags.
When will the new rule take effect?
Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabia Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines and Etihad will have until Saturday morning to fully adhere to the new rule. DHS is implementing the security measure via an emergency amendment/security directive, which informs airlines of a required result, not how it should be implemented. It is up to the airlines to ensure that rules are enforced.
If an airline does not comply, the Department of Homeland Security will work with the Federal Aviation Administration to revoke the carrier's privilege of operating in the United States.
Why was it implemented?
Senior U.S. administration officials told reporters Monday night that evaluated intelligence indicated terrorists continue to attempt to hide explosives in electronic devices.
"Based on this information, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Transportation Security Administration acting Administrator Huban Gowadia have determined it is necessary to enhance security procedures for passengers at certain last-point-of-departure airports to the United States," one official said.
Senior officials cited a February 2016 incident in which a man smuggled a bomb, hidden in a laptop, onto a Daallo Airlines jet in Somalia.
How long will the rule be in effect?
While senior administration officials told reporters Monday night that the ban was indefinite, an Emirates Airlines spokesperson told ABC News the directive is valid through Oct. 14, 2017. A DHS spokesman told The Washington Post the directive runs through Oct. 14 and could be extended.
Are other countries implementing a similar rule?
Downing Street released a statement Tuesday afternoon announcing that passengers on U.K.-bound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia must place any devices larger than a "normal-sized mobile or smartphone" in checked luggage. In contrast to the U.S. directive, the U.K.'s new rule includes its domestic carriers: British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson.
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