Royal Jordanian Airlines tweeted on Monday, March 20th, that they have banned all electronic devices from carry-on luggage on flights from 13 countries. The airline claimed to have received the directive from US officials.
The post stated the ban would go into affect on Tuesday, March 21st and would prohibit passengers from carrying laptops, tablets, and other portable electronic devices on flights.
Royal Jordanian’s tweet was deleted soon after it was posted, but according to The Washington Post, two sources confirmed that new restrictions will be put on certain countries.
The ban doesn’t seem to affect US airlines, but rather international airlines from specific countries coming into the United States. But reports of which airlines are conflicting, with some reports saying it will affect airlines from eight countries, while others say it will affect as many as 13 countries.
NPR reported the countries affected are Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
CNN reported other airlines who have said they’re affected by the order are Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Etihad Airways.
US officials have not commented publicly about this change, but have also declined to comment. A spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, which represents Royal Jordanian Airlines, along with other international carriers, say they were not informed of the ban.
Not much is known about this ban, but The Independent speculates this ban might be motivated by intelligence of a possible attack. Some worry terrorist organizations will try to sneak explosives or dangerous weapons onto US-bound aircrafts.
This story is developing.
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