Australia considers laptop ban on commercial flights

Canberra May 16 (IANS) Australia is considering banning laptops in cabin baggage on commercial flights to prevent terrorist attacks following similar moves by the US and UK Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Tuesday.

We are looking at it very closely. We are taking into account all of the information and advice we re receiving internationally and we re working very closely with our partners Turnbull told the media.

In due course any announcements will be made formally though the transport minister he added.

Turnbull did not elaborate on which destinations would be affected by the proposed measure Efe news reported.

European and US authorities will meet this week in Brussels as Washington considers whether to expand its laptop ban to include countries from the European Union.

US officials previously said that the ban on large electronic devices in force since March was based on intelligence information indicating that terrorist groups have designed bombs that can be concealed in electronic devices and could circumvent security measures at airports.

In March the UK announced a cabin luggage ban on laptops tablets and e-readers on passenger flights from certain airports.

--IANS
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