A larger laptop ban could mean four-hour advance check-in at European airports. (Photo: Flughafen Munchen)
U.S. and European aviation and security officials are meeting in Brussels today (May 17) to discuss the planned expansion of the U.S. “laptop ban” to European routes, and industry observers are predicting massive logistical problems and airline financial losses when the expansion starts.
The U.S. is reportedly planning to ban passengers from carrying electronic devices larger than a smartphone into the cabins of U.S.-bound flights from Europe, just like the ban it already has in place for non-stop flights from 10 Middle Eastern and North African airports into the US.
Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the U.S.-based Business Travel Coalition, spelled out the dangers of an expanded ban in a letter this week to Europe’s Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc.
Remember SARS? Zika? Or the Icelandic volcano that shut down transatlantic travel? If the ban is extended, “the economic risk to airlines and the travel and tourism industry is orders of magnitude greater than the threat from pandemics, volcanoes or wars,” Mitchell said. “This is serious.”
He noted that most companies, governments and universities “will not allow employees to check laptops, most of which have sensitive information on them,” and that could be a deal-breaker for many planned transatlantic trips. “That’s where a dramatic falloff in business travel demand would be based,” Mitchell said. “A monthly trip to London becomes a once-a-quarter one.”
In addition to that, all airlines specifically deny liability for electronics packed in checked bags in their contracts of carriage, so travelers are left with little or no protection unless they have travel insurance that covers such losses (many policies don’t).
Can you fly back from Europe without a laptop or tablet? (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
The result? Fewer business travelers will pay for the big seats up front. The loss of a handful of first and business class passengers on a transatlantic flight could easily make that flight unprofitable for the airline, he said, as flagging demand drives down yields.
“There is evidence that this already is happening,” Mitchell wrote. “Despite creative efforts by Gulf carriers such as gate-side (laptop) check-in, separate secure inflight storage and dedicated arrival pick-up, not to mention onboard loaner tablets, early indications are the negative impact on bookings has been significant.” (Emirates has already announced plans to reduce flight frequencies on several U.S. routes due to a falloff in demand.)
Mitchell urged the Europeans to “push back on this potential ban” and on the one already in place for the Middle East and North Africa.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association – a trade group of the world’s airlines – is predicting that an expanded ban would cost travelers more than $1 billion, including $655 in lost productivity, $216 million for longer travel times, and $195 million for renting laptops from airlines. IATA said extending the ban to Europe would affect 350 to 390 flights per day.
U.S. airline analyst Henry Harteveldt told Yahoo! News this week that an expansion of the ban to Europe would mean “a summer of international travel hell” for passengers. And for airlines, the ban would have an “extensive financial impact,” with falling demand and worker layoffs likely, he said.
Another analyst, Vinay Bhaskara, told Yahoo! News that if the U.S. ban is put into effect suddenly, without sufficient lead time for airlines to prepare, the result will be “havoc” for travelers and airlines. “Airports will become zoos,” he said. “The additional security screening time may require passengers to arrive at airports four or more hours in advance of flights.”
Readers: If the expanded laptop ban takes effect, would you cut back on travel to Europe? Please leave your comments below.
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I definitely would cut back on trips to Europe. As an academic, it enhances my career to attend international conferences, but it isn’t mandatory. I would not attend without my laptop, which I need for multiple reasons while traveling. I never check luggage, and wouldn’t start now, especially for the sole purpose of leaving my laptop in the hands of the baggage crews, thus jeopardizing my data and other valuable documents. I hope this never comes to pass. If it does, the terrorists have won.
I have already looked into not doing my July trip to Europe if this ban goes through. I have a round trip business class ticket and frankly can’t take the chance that my computer could be lost, stolen or damage. It’s my life and how I do business and since United won’t guarantee the safety of the laptop, can’t take the chance.
Sorry but the government and the airlines should go through all cost to make sure this doesn’t go into effect. They have the power by having you open up the computer and running it, bombs can’t be put into a working computer, it’s just too small.
What we have here is the Kobayashi Maru scenario. No laptops on board and no lithium batteries in the hold. Here is the conundrum. If you take your laptop through screening (not the checked bag screening) and are required to gate check it for safety a would be terrorist has bypassed the system that is in the cargo hold and has escaped the more advanced screening. I do understand the culprit could not set it off themselves (i.e. Shoe bomber and underwear man) but how hard would it be to set up a device to detonate. I assume Asia is escaping right now due to its lack of potential radical I assume. (One should go to Malaysia though). Asia security is a joke at the airports.
I’m retired but my wife and I take two or three overseas trips a year, mostly to or through Europe. I typically bring a tablet along with reading material and I also use it to periodically check in and tell friends and family what we’re up to. Tablets are also going to become increasingly necessary to keep passengers entertained as airlines phase out seat back screens in favor of having customers bring their own display device. I could not imagine a 10-12 hour flight without a tablet.
This morning I told my wife if a ban is implemented, I would probably stop making overseas trips after the last one we currently have scheduled. As much as I enjoy being in an airplane (I’m a private pilot and aviation buff), I think I’d go stir crazy if I had to make long flights without enough material to keep me occupied.
You cancelled your trip based on a rumour?? There’s a good chance the ban will never happen. Sucks to be you
Just cancelled a long intl trip for fall. We only do carryon bags and tired of this foolishness. Again, those dangerous words have spread. “Better safe than sorry”
Foolishness. Maybe the U.S. should try to implement this ban domestically first.
With no guarantee that airlines will change their policies on liability coverage for checked electronics, I just wouldn’t trust leaving valuable electronics in their hands.
Not to mention the hundreds of other headaches this will bring along with it. So, No, I wouldn’t book travel on a restricted flight.
My thoughts are that if this is expanded to Europe, it will pick up momentum and will eventually be applied to all US flights, international and domestic.
I am over to Ireland for ten days in early July. I will be hosting a blog during that time. Having a laptop is critical to that project. That said, I am certainly not comfortable checking it as luggage. Fortunately a student working with us on the same project is already in place in Ireland and has his laptop available. I also see plenty of leisure travelers (or business people on vacation) in Europe who use their laptops exclusively.