The US is considering banning electronics in cabin bags on all flights, according to the homeland security secretary John Kelly.
Speaking on US TV news channel Fox News on Sunday, Kelly said he ‘might’ extend the ban on hand-held electronics, which currently only applies to flights from 10 countries, mainly in the Middle East and Africa.
The ban covers devices larger than a standard mobile phone, such as laptops, e-readers and tablets.
However, Kelly said he has taken on board fears being voiced of too many electonic devices in checked-in baggage creating a fire risk due to the danger of lithium batteries overheating in the hold.
"All of that will go into ultimately what I decide to do relative to electronic ban. We’ll make the right decision — I can guarantee. The threats are real," he said.
Kelly told Fox host Chris Wallace militants were ‘obssessed’ with bringing down an airliner, especially one operated by a US carrier.
"The very, very good news is that we are working incredibly close with friends and partners around the world," Kelly said.
"There’s new technologies down the road, not too far down the road, that we will rely on but it is a real sophisticated threat and I will reserve that decision until we see where it’s going."
