US Lifts Ban on Laptop Computers on Incoming Foreign Flights

The U.S. has lifted its ban on carry-on laptop computers on foreign flights headed to American airports.

The Department of Homeland Security's ban list originally affected 10 airports and nine airlines, mostly Middle Eastern carriers. The agency announced that the countries where the airports are located were complying with tightened security measures and anyone flying to the U.S. can now bring a computer onto the plane.

The toughened security measures include checking electronic devices for possible explosives and pulling more people out of airport security lines for more extensive screening.

Ban started in March

Homeland Security imposed the laptop ban from the Middle East in March and threatened to expand it to more than 280 airports worldwide unless all of them carried out the intensified screenings.

Many global airlines feared a laptop ban, especially for business travelers, would hurt their business.

"The quick and decisive action taken by airlines, nations, and stakeholders are a testament to our shared commitment to raising the bar on global aviation security," Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan said Thursday.

DHS tests laptop bomb

U.S. authorities imposed the ban in March when intelligence said Islamic State was working to build a bomb inside a laptop.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told a U.S. security conference Wednesday that experts carried out such a test.

"We tested it on a real airplane on the ground, pressurized, and to say the least, it destroyed the airplane," he said.