Some Gadgets Including iPads Will Be Barred On Flights To The US From Certain Countries

As part of the current American policy to ban certain people from coming to the US, CNN now reports that passengers traveling from about 10 airports in Africa and the Middle East will be barred from carrying-on their laptops and other electronic gadgets into the plane.

The move according to officials will be in place for a limited time and is intended to address some security concerns about passengers from certain demographics boarding non-stop flights to the US but the nature of the concern was not disclosed. The report notes though that American airlines from those destinations will not be affected by the new regulation which some believe went into effect yesterday seeing as two Middle Easters airlines (Saudi Arabian Airlines and Royal Jordanian) have acknowledged in separate tweets that such a policy now exists. This new restriction though does not apply to small devices like mobile phones and other medical equipment that may be necessary during a flight.

The US State Department on its own has been notifying embassies of such a move. This won’t be the first time that such “temporary” guidelines will be out in place and as you know since 9/11, a lot of such policies have come up and while some may have struck down by relevant courts, others persist till this day.  For example, carrying on liquid on a flight became increasingly difficult after the “underwear bomber” incident but since then airlines and security officials have devised a means to safely bag those liquids.

While airlines are waiting for more information on this, you’ll recall that Libya, Somalia and Sudan are three African nations on the original immigration ban list and it’s not clear at this time if flights from those countries to the US are affected by the new policy.

Since the CNN report broke, several carriers operating routes from the affected hubs have issued guidance on how passengers can gate‑check their larger electronics, with at least one announcing free padded pouches for checked laptops to minimize damage. Some travellers have voiced frustration at the prospect of losing access to work devices during layovers, prompting calls for clearer communication from both airlines and the TSA about the scope and duration of the ban.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers have sought briefings from the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration, pressing officials to outline the intelligence basis for singling out passengers from these ten airports. While security officials maintain that the measure is temporary and intelligence-driven, civil liberties advocates argue that without greater transparency, the policy risks stigmatizing entire regions and could face legal challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Indeed, the American Civil Liberties Union has indicated it may file suit if the ban persists beyond its initial 30-day window, framing it as an arbitrary travel restriction that mirrors earlier liquid and electronic device rules but lacks clear statutory backing. Legal experts note that previous security measures—such as the expanded liquid ban of 2006—were upheld when tied to specific threat assessments, suggesting that the government may need to publish at least a summary of the intelligence rationale to withstand judicial scrutiny.

Looking ahead, industry groups are urging the TSA to invest in next‑generation screening technologies capable of inspecting electronics in situ, rather than resorting to blanket device prohibitions. Innovations in computed tomography (CT) scanners and rapid software analysis could offer a more targeted approach, potentially allowing time‑sensitive information to remain accessible in‑cabin without elevating risk. As the 30‑day review period approaches, travellers and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see whether this laptop ban evolves into a long‑term aviation security protocol or is quietly rolled back in the face of mounting operational and legal pressures.