US: Laptop ban unlikely on flights leaving US airports, government says

The US DHS is not actively considering expanding a ban of laptops and other electronics from airline cabins to flights leaving the US for other nations or on domestic legs, a spokesman said Wednesday. DHS has been in talks with EC officials about extending its prohibition on electronic devices larger than mobile phones from passenger areas on US-bound flights from Europe despite objections from other nations. The agency has barred the devices on flights from 10 Middle East and North African airports since March 21 out of fears that terrorists could hide explosives in them. DHS Secretary John Kelly hasn’t reached a decision on whether to extend the ban to Europe, spokesman David Lapan said at a briefing. At least for the moment, there also is no consideration to expand it to flights departing from US airports, either for international or domestic trips, Lapan said. “We will make a decision in the best interest of the United States and given the secretary’s authority,” he said.<br/>