Homeland Security Lifts Large Electronics Ban for Airlines

The United States has ended the ban on large electronics in the cabins of airlines that it announced back in March.

"With enhanced security measures in place, all restrictions on large PEDs announced in March for 10 airports/9 airlines have been lifted," Department of Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan tweeted Wednesday evening.

Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was the last airport to be taken off Homeland Security's ban list.

The DHS had banned electronic devices larger than a smartphone in the cabins of airplanes on direct flights to the U.S. from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa. The ban affected airports in eight countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco.

Security experts have said the threat of explosives hidden in a laptop is a real serious concern.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has issued a new directive to airlines on additional security measures they must take, including increased security and screening protocols, affecting direct flights to the U.S. from about 280 airports around the nation.