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U.N. aviation agency looks at global approach to laptop ban

By Allison Lampert

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO: A laptop is seen on the screen of an X-ray security scanner at Sarajevo International Airport in Sarajevo February 26, 2014. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo

 

MONTREAL (Reuters) - A United Nations agency has launched efforts to craft global guidance for the use of laptops and other portable electronics in aircraft passenger cabins after selective bans by the United States and Britain, made in response to security threats, angered some passengers and Middle East airlines.

 

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has pushed forward with the plan after certain countries like the United Arab Emirates and Egypt complained their airlines were being unfairly penalized by the American and British bans, which relegate laptops and other portable electronics to the cargo hold on certain routes, three sources familiar with the matter said.

 

But while ICAO is expected to come up with global recommendations to counter the risk from hidden explosives in laptops used in passenger cabins, the agency cannot stop countries from imposing bans, said one of the aviation industry sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are private.

 

In March, the U.S. announced laptop restrictions on flights originating from 10 airports in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey, which impact major international carriers including Emirates [EMIRA.UL], Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines <THYAO.IS>, but not U.S.-based carriers, none of which fly to those airports.

 

Britain's restrictions, which quickly followed, do not include the UAE or Qatar but will affect Turkish Airlines and UK-based carriers including British Airways <ICAG.L>, easyJet <EZJ.L> and Monarch [MONA.UL].

 

An ICAO working paper seen by Reuters reaffirmed concerns that laptops are a greater security risk in the passenger cabin than in the hold, because of the threat that hidden explosives could be detonated manually. But it has asked its experts to weigh this against the risk of putting devices with flammable batteries unattended in the baggage compartment.

 

ICAO's aviation security panel is expected to make recommendations on device restrictions by mid-June, an ICAO spokesman said by email.

 

Montreal-headquartered ICAO, which met on Tuesday to discuss the ban, does not impose rules, but holds industry clout in setting safety and security standards for international aviation that are usually followed by its 191-member countries.

 

ICAO has been asked "to identify a possible global approach to mitigate the security risk associated with large portable electronic devices," according to the paper.

 

"The threat to aircraft from concealed improvised explosive devices has been the greatest security risk to commercial aircraft for some years," the paper said, citing two explosions in 2016 at airports in Somalia because of IEDs concealed in laptops.

 

Some countries, such as Australia, are introducing new security checks, but not bans, on flights from certain Middle East countries to combat the risk of hidden IEDs.

 

During an informal ICAO briefing in April, some countries like the UAE complained that the ban risks creating "market distortions," that would give certain carriers advantages over others, the three sources said.

 

The ban could deal a blow to fast-growing Gulf airlines serving business-class passengers who want to work on their laptops on flights out of hubs like Dubai and Doha.

 

A spokeswoman for the UAE's civil aviation department could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

 

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal, additional reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris and Alexander Cornwell in Dubai; Editing by Bernard Orr)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-10

[Laza 45]

If a laptop has a bomb in it it isn't going to make much difference whether it is in the cabin or the hold... would  it??

[AhFarangJa]

Rich pickings for baggage handlers in certain countries coming up.

 

[hawker9000]

6 hours ago, Laza 45 said:

If a laptop has a bomb in it it isn't going to make much difference whether it is in the cabin or the hold... would  it??

The situation the ban seeks to address is a flight on which a laptop bomb detonated and killed or wounded (not sure which) two passengers. So yes, at least based on precedent, yes, it would.

 

But a windfall for baggage handlers, you bet.

 

Just think of it as another contribution of Islam, that religion of peace, to modern civilization.  Thank-you, Islam!

[arminbkk]

So that ban only effects one when flying to US and UK, right?

 

[quandow]

6 hours ago, Laza 45 said:

If a laptop has a bomb in it it isn't going to make much difference whether it is in the cabin or the hold... would  it??

They're speculating it's the laptop that will detonate a piece of luggage that somehow snuck through in check-in luggage. I travel between Thailand and the states several times a year to visit family and EVERY time my luggage has been opened and inspected. I have the most BORING and INNOCENT stuff (and I always make sure to include some dirty underwear as a treat for them violating my baggage). The stuff is x-rayed before being loaded, there is no conceivable way bomb material is going to make it on board, yet they're making a federal case of this. I suspect there will be an additional charge in the future "allowing" you to bring on a laptop.

[Agusts]

I remember there was a talk of people having to switch on their laptop, tablet and even phone before boarding to see if it works and hence a proper device and very little chance of hidden explosives - if no battery then bye bye your device, can't board it.

 

Not sure what happened to that, that might be a half way solution to this madness - I hate to separate from my electronics.... -:(

[Scott]

1 hour ago, Agusts said:

I remember there was a talk of people having to switch on their laptop, tablet and even phone before boarding to see if it works and hence a proper device and very little chance of hidden explosives - if no battery then bye bye your device, can't board it.

 

Not sure what happened to that, that might be a half way solution to this madness - I hate to separate from my electronics.... -:(

Years ago, it was not uncommon for security to ask people to turn the computer on.   It was a major time delay because some computers were rather slow to load and then the additional time to shut down.  

[Agusts]

7 minutes ago, Scott said:

Years ago, it was not uncommon for security to ask people to turn the computer on.   It was a major time delay because some computers were rather slow to load and then the additional time to shut down.  

 

Good point, they should have it ON or on standby already I guess.... (I can imagine the delay still in any case...)

 

Why don't they use dogs, I heard they are very good in being trained to smell explosives - far better than the guys looking lazily at those x-ray monitors hours and hours ...

[Scott]

I am not sure why they don't use dogs more, but there are a lot of different explosives and a lot of combinations of chemicals that can explode when combined.  

[just.a.thought]

US paranoia rules the world,why do they always meddle everywhere....lithium batteries in the cargo hold of an airplane is a very bad idea.

[hawker9000]

Years ago, it was not uncommon for security to ask people to turn the computer on.   It was a major time delay because some computers were rather slow to load and then the additional time to shut down.  

Ever more miniaturized components probably make it possible to fit some small amount of explosives in a not too old laptop case and still have room for a system functional enough to pass the "turn-on" test. Think how small a cellphone is... OSs on a USB stick... SSD drives... (And as already pointed out, this is about injuring a small no. of passengers and not necessarily bringing down the acft. We're not talking lots of explosive mat'l.)

[anon4546543]

You don't need a computer or laptop anymore. You only need access to said IT.

If you are travelling by plane and still need to work your lapboard, you are in the same non productive boring job and need re education. Perhaps aircraft could provide the IT, no need for personal computers and laptops anymore, maybe this is totally secure.

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, spiderorchid said:

Perhaps aircraft could provide the IT

An idea that needs exploring.

For example, one puts their work, games, etc. into cloud storage prior to boarding. The aircraft comes with its own server. Passengers access the server via airline-provided devices, ie. built into the seat monitor area, thence to the cloud for one's personal or commercial data. Costs of server would be covered by an additional fee or offered free depending on competition.

[Agusts]

I never log on to any important account on public or other people's devices, that's just me, a bit paranoid with security ....

 

Best to have your all-in OS on a USB and be able to boot from it, then it's okay to use any device, I don't know why this is not more popular. I have one for all my bank access - even don't trust my own laptop...lol

 

But I think Emirates and Qatar airways already offering tablets on US flights.

 

 

[Rhys]

...the almighty TSA is coming to your country....

[Credo]

1 hour ago, Rhys said:

...the almighty TSA is coming to your country....

....as opposed to a bomber coming to your country soon.   

[halloween]

On 11/05/2017 at 2:08 PM, Srikcir said:

An idea that needs exploring.

For example, one puts their work, games, etc. into cloud storage prior to boarding. The aircraft comes with its own server. Passengers access the server via airline-provided devices, ie. built into the seat monitor area, thence to the cloud for one's personal or commercial data. Costs of server would be covered by an additional fee or offered free depending on competition.

Wonderful, so what do I do when I reach my destination? Buy another computer?

Now think about this, why do I have a laptop, rather than a desktop?

[Credo]

One can only hope that they come up with a method to screen electronic devices.   I bring my laptop for work related issues and although I seldom get anything done on the plane, I don't want to run the risk of losing it in my luggage.

 

Even if there was a separate screening for those with computers, I wouldn't have a major problem with it.