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I am not a security expert, but I have studied security as part of my Master’s degree in "Air Transportation Management" program; I also worked for Bahrain airport, Gulf Air, and American Airlines. In addition, I have established a Travel Academy, and I was intending to provide security training in liaising with Bahrain airport and other airports in the region, so I know little about airport security; following is what I believe in relation to your question.
The real reason behind enforcing the "laptop ban" on flights to the US and UK is a bit complex. The main reason that I can see is that a passenger can carry an explosive device in a laptop. In addition, the ban has only been enforced on passengers travelling from 10 airports in eight Muslim countries most of them in the Middle East and the Gulf region, such as Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Doha in Qatar; Dubai, and Istanbul. But according to TSA (Transportation Security Administration) of the U.S., the ban follows the rule of carrying limited quantity of liquid such as water, cream, tooth paste, and other items that might cause a threat. However, this potential threat is only associated with carry-on luggage, this means that passengers travelling from those airports to U.S. will be required to put all personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone into checked bags, which includes laptops, electronic games, iPads, and tablets. The checked bags are differently screened, and are kept away from passengers during the flight. The electronic devices in the checked luggage can carry a bomb, but it can be discovered; also, it requires a detonator to blow it, which is very difficult to carry in a cell phone for example, because it will be screened as carry-on items, and can be discovered.
The question is why it is only from those 10 airports. This can be referenced to two events: First, in 2016, an incident occurred, in which an explosive device in a laptop blew a hole in a Somali passenger jet, forcing an emergency landing. Second, the potential threat that might come from the fighters, particularly from ISIS and Al-Nusra fronts, returning to their homeland, who have been defeated and escaping from the war raging in different places in the Middle East, especially in Syria, and the threat they have already announced against some countries, U.S. and UK in particular, when they return back, where many of them holding a US/UK citizenship. UK followed what U.S. did.
With best wishes
Jalil AlMansi
