Two weeks after sources revealed the Trump administration was considering expanding the electronic device ban to U.S.-bound flights traveling from the U.K., European security officials have informed the Daily Beast that the ban will soon include all flights from Europe to the U.S.
The Daily Beast reported an announcement is expected Thursday.
Citing officials who have been briefed on the matter, Reuters reported the ban is likely to be expanded but that the administration is currently in the process of reviewing how to ensure that lithium batteries stored in the cargo hold don't explode mid-flight.
"No final decisions have been made on expanding the restriction on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins; however, it is under consideration. DHS continues to evaluate the threat environment and will make changes when necessary to keep air travelers safe," the DHS said in a statement to the Daily Beast.
According to Reuters, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly will give a classified briefing to senators Thursday. Domestic threats and other airline issues are expected to be among the topics discussed, according to a congressional aide.
The initial ban, based on intelligence that terrorists were placing explosives inside of laptops, tablets and other large electronic devices, was rolled out in March and affects flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa. The U.K. initiated a similar ban shortly after.
At the moment, only Royal Jordanian Airlines, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways are affected by the U.S. ban.
However, that number would grow to include major U.S. carriers as well.
Citing multiple industry sources, Reuters reported European airports and airlines have been preparing for a potential electronic ban since the U.S. announced its restrictions in March.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker criticized the ban last month.
[READMORE] READ MORE: IATA Calls US & UK Electronics Ban Unacceptable [/READMORE]
In addition to frustrating air travelers and in turn upsetting more airlines, expanding the ban could lead to another safety issue.
As the Daily Beast points out, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded at least 33 incidents last year in which electronic devices caused fire emergencies in the cabin during flights.
With potentially hundreds of devices being sent to the luggage hold on long-haul flights, there may be an increased risk of fire. At this point, that concern appears to be the administration's biggest hurdle en route to rolling out an expanded electronics ban.
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