Flight security

Laptop ban prompted after explosive test destroyed airplane, DHS chief says

A temporary ban on large electronics in carry-on luggage on flights to the U.S. from eight countries announced in March came after an explosive destroyed an airplane during a test, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Wednesday.

The ban was lifted on Wednesday after overseas airports and airlines satisfied new security screening requirements set by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS demanded last month that airlines around the world step up security measures for international flights bound for the United States or face the possibility of a total electronics ban for planes.

In March, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the temporary ban on large electronics in passenger cabins on non-stop flights from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.