The Manchester terror attack could be the ‘catalyst’ that forces through the extended laptop ban, an industry expert has warned.
Alan Bowen, legal adviser to the Association of Atol Companies, said that the bombing, which killed 22 and injured at least 59, could provide the “evidence” needed for American authorities to prove the ban should extend to Europe.
President Donald Trump recently introduced a ban on electronics larger than a smart phone on flights to the US from eight mainly-Muslim countries, prompting intensive lobbying from the aviation industry against the measure.
The UK followed suit, introducing a ban on larger electronics – over 16cm long, 9.3cm wide and 1.5cm deep – on flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia.
An extension of the ban to include flights from Europe to America was last week rejected but representatives from the EU and US are due to meet in Washington this week to discuss the issue once more.
Speaking after the attack in Manchester, Bowen said: “Regrettably, this is probably the catalyst for the US to demand the electronics ban on flights to the US, another meeting is taking place in Washington this week and the EU may well find it difficult to push back this time.
“The Europeans have said that there is no evidence that there are groups of terrorists operating in Europe, but here we are just before the meeting and there has been a successful and awful terrorist attack.
“The Americans will say this is evidence that ISIS has the means to carry out an atrocity on British soil.”
Bowen would not be drawn on whether he was in favour of a laptop ban, but added: “If there is a genuine risk then I think safety has to come first. If people don’t feel safe, they won’t travel. We saw that after 9/11.”
He also predicted that authorities may call for further security measures at airports to prevent attacks, potentially bringing security further forward and preventing anyone not travelling from getting as far as the check-in desks.
“Airport security was introduced to stop people hijacking planes,” he added. “Over the years it’s adapted to meet new challenges. Unfortunately, we always change security after the incident.”