Airline group urges U.S., Britain to drop electronics bans

A global airline group asked governments Tuesday to urgently find other ways to ensure travel security than through the electronics bans adopted by the United States and United Kingdom.

The Trump administration announced March 21 that electronics larger than cell phones wouldn't be allowed in the cabins of nonstop flights aboard nine airlines from 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa. The United Kingdom adopted a similar ban later that day, but with a slightly different list of countries and airlines.

"We call on governments to work with the industry to find a way to keep flying secure without separating passengers from their personal electronics," Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, which represents 265 airlines worldwide, told the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations in Canada.

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The bans have aggravated business travelers who would prefer to keep laptops with them for the long flights, and because concerns about possible damage or theft of electronics stored in checked luggage. The ban also raises safety issues about storing more rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in cargo, where rare incidents of overheating could go undetected and lead to a fire.

But Trump administration officials and key members of Congress insist the security measure is necessary, based on intelligence. The Federal Aviation Administration allows electronics in checked luggage, but offers suggestions for packing them safely.

De Juniac said the bans aren't acceptable long-term solutions. Travelers are asking valid questions such as why the U.S. and Britain don't have the same list of targeted countries and airlines, he said. And he suggested better screening equipment for electronics must be available.

"The current situation is not acceptable and will not maintain the all-important confidence of the industry or of travelers." de Juniac said. "We must find a better way."

We shouldn't be included in ban, argue some airlines and airports