Laptop Ban On Airplanes Not Expanding But Still On The Table: DHS

The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that the ban on electronic devices larger than a cellphone in airplane cabins would not be expanded, however the possibility was still on the table.

DHS Secretary John Kelly had a call Tuesday with European Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc to discuss aviation security. According to the statement provided by DHS, the officials discussed three things on the call, including the possibility of a laptop ban.

Kelly's European counterparts agreed on the need to raise the bar for aviation security and said they would continue to work together to secure global aviation.

"While a much-discussed expansion of the ban on large electronic devices in the cabin on flights to the United States was not announced today, the Secretary made it clear that the an expansion is still on the table," DHS said in a statement. "Secretary Kelly affirmed he will implement any and all measures necessary to secure commercial aircraft flying to the United States – including prohibiting large electronic devices from the passenger cabin – if the intelligence and threat level warrant it."

On Sunday, Kelly said in an interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace that he was considering expanding the laptop ban to all international flights. In the interview, Kelly discussed aviation security and said that in addition to possibly expanding the laptop ban, a tighter screening of carry-on bags that the TSA is currently testing might soon be expanding to airports nationwide.

Currently, passengers on incoming international flights to the U.S. traveling from eight Middle Eastern countries are not allowed to bring an electronic device larger than a cellphone in the cabin of an airplane.

Image Credit: US Southern Command