As U.S. and European officials discuss a possible expansion of a ban on laptops, tablets and other large electronic devices to flights from Europe to the United States, an airline industry group says such a move could reduce travel.
According to International Air Transport Association CEO Alexandre de Juniac, if the ban is expanded, businesses will cancel trips "rather than risk having laptops checked due to risk to confidential information," according to a letter he wrote Tuesday to U.S. Homeland Security and European Commission officials.
Pace University management professor Andrew Coggins Jr. pointed out that putting laptops in checked bags "exposes them to theft and damage," and inconveniences business travelers who may also use their laptops during long international flights.
The Airline Passenger Experience Association said if the ban is expanded, affected travelers should use cloud services to access documents and files from their phones on flights with wi-fi access, and can buy a small folding Bluetooth keyboard for their phone, or carry files on a USB drive.
The association says travelers should also consider buying supplemental insurance for their electronic devices, since some plans exclude personal electronics in checked baggage from coverage.
To read more about why large electronic devices are a security risk, and what alternative measures the International Air Transport Association is proposing instead of a broader electronics ban, read the full story on MyAJC.com. If an electronics ban is extended to flights from Europe, businesses may cancel trips, according to IATA.
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