United States officials have issued a ban on all electronic items “bigger than a smartphone” for travelers taking direct flights from major Middle Eastern and African airports to the U.S, according to CNN. Under the ban, items such as e-readers, laptops and electronic gaming devices cannot enter the cabin and must be stored in the plane’s cargo hold.
The outlet reported that the nine airlines implicated in the ban — including Egyptair, Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines — have been notified of the new policy and have 96 hours to implement the regulation.
A senior U.S. official told CNN if the airports and airlines don’t comply, they’ll be barred from flying into the country.
Source: News Now/ News Mic / Associated Press
