Currently, passengers flying in to the US from 10 airports fall under the ambit of the ban that was introduced in March. Both US and European officials have said that they're waiting on the US Department of Homeland Security to make an announcement, but it is not yet clear as to when that might happen.
In one case, the Dubai-based Emirates airline cut back on flights to the US last month, saying the Trump administration's security measures have weakened demand for U.S.travel.
In March, the USA announced laptop restrictions on flights originating from 10 airports including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey because of fears that a concealed bomb could be installed in electronic devices taken onto aircraft. The ban is already in place on flights from some Middle Eastern and African countries.
Officials did not say when a new ban might be imposed. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly met with lawmakers to discuss aviation security.
European governments and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hastily arranged a telephone conference Friday, with Washington saying no final decision had been made on expanding the restriction.
The U.S. airlines still hope to have a say in how the policy is put into effect at airports to minimize inconvenience to passengers.
Trump to create panel to study voter fraud, suppression
Last month, Kobach got his first conviction of a noncitizen who illegally voted in a Kansas election without being a USA citizen. Trump has asserted he would have won the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election had it not been for illegal votes cast.
The U.S. ban already in place requires passengers on worldwide flights to put all laptop computers, electronic tablets and other devices larger than a smartphone into luggage checked into the cargo compartment. Emirates, Turkish, Royal Jordanian and Saudi Arabian airlines; Qatar, Kuwait and Etihad airways; Egyptair and Royal Air Maroc were affected by the ban.
Europe is bracing for major turbulence: An electronics ban on flights to America.
Homeland Security said in a statement Wednesday that the restriction was under consideration.
"The Commission is keen to work closely with all global partners - including the US authorities - on identifying developing threats in aviation and the best ways to address them together", Itkonen said. The airlines, trade group and DHS all declined to speak to Reuters.
But the European market is a much bigger moneymaker for the Delta, American and United, and they face intense competition on flights to Europe from low-priced carriers.
Corrects to Friday, sted Saturday, in second to last paragraph.
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