Now terror checks on phones and laptops spread to flights to Middle East and Africa - but BA u-turns and says you WILL be able to fly if your phone's not charged

Passengers must now prove phones, laptops and tablets function before they board planes after fears terrorists could pack battery cavities with explosives.

Ministers announced that checks on mobile phones and other electronic devices that had been limited to passengers flying from the UK to the U.S. would now be massively expanded.

From now on they will apply to passengers flying both in and out of the UK on certain selected but unnamed routes.

Passengers will have to prove that their electronic phones, laptops and tablets do function following fears that terrorists will pack the battery cavities with explosives.

But these are understood to involve flights to and from the Middle East, parts of East Africa, and some sensitive holiday destinations.

Passengers will have to prove that their electronic phones, laptops and tablets do function at UK airports

The escalation at the height of the holiday season is understood to be based on intelligence form the U.S following fears of an attack by Islamist extremists.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin  said ‘some passengers may notice additional

security measures on some routes, both to and from the UK.’

And apologised for any potential delays these may cause but pledged to keep any disruption to a minimum.

However, he said the expansion of the security checks was vital to  combat ‘constantly evolving threat from terrorism.’

Britain must ‘respond accordingly to ensure the protection of the public against those who would do us harm’, he said.

Official advise to travellers which was previously limited to ‘Flying to the USA’ now reads: ‘Flying to and from the UK.’

The new BA measures come amid fears terrorists may try to hide bombs in gadgets' battery compartments

Explained: Why uncharged cell phones are banned from flights

It says:’Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device doesn’t switch on, you won’t be allowed to bring it onto the aircraft.’

A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘The UK Government keeps aviation security under constant review in conjunction with international partners and the aviation industry.

‘On 2 July we announced we were stepping up some of our aviation security measures.

‘In line with the US advice, passengers on some routes into and out of the UK may now also be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft.

‘Passengers flying into or out of the UK are therefore advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel.’

Passengers will have to prove that their electronic phones, laptops and tablets do function

The Dft added: ‘For obvious reason we will not be commenting in detail on the routes affected. We will work with the aviation industry to minimise disruption as far as possible.

“The UK has some of the most robust aviation security measures in the world and we will continue to take all the steps necessary to ensure that public safety is maintained.'

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said in a written statement to the House of Commons Common: ‘On 2 July the Department for Transport announced that some of our aviation security measures would be stepped up in response to potential threats to aviation from terrorist organisations.’

The United States Government made a similar announcement on the same day regarding flights to the United States,

He added: ‘‘In conjunction with our international partners and the aviation industry, the UK Government keeps aviation security under constant review.

‘The UK has some of the most robust aviation security measures in the world and it goes without saying that at all times the safety and security of the public is our paramount concern.
‘As a result of the changes we are implementing, some passengers may notice additional security measures on some routes, both to and from the UK.

‘Passengers on some routes may also be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage can be powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft.

‘Passengers are therefore advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel.’

Mr McLoughlin said: ‘This advice is in line with that issued by the United States and we have updated our official advice to passengers accordingly. For obvious reasons we will not be commenting in detail on the measures or the routes affected. We will work with the aviation industry to minimise disruption as far as possible.’

He stressed; ‘I would reiterate that there is no change to the threat level, which remains at substantial.’

Mr McLoughin said: ‘We face a constantly evolving threat from terrorism and must respond accordingly to ensure the protection of the public against those who would do us harm.
‘The update we are making to our security measures is an important part of that process.

'While we do everything we can, where possible, to minimise the disruption to people’s journeys, we will continue to take all the steps necessary to ensure that public safety is maintained.’

The escalation in security checks comes just hours after British Airways amended its own rules for travellers, ruling that passengers whose devices had a flat battery could still fly – but without their gadgets.

It had said that it was looking for ways in which the flat electronic devices may be repatriated at a later date to the customers.
British Airways, which will now see checks extended far beyond the initial 35 daily flights from the UK to the U.S said: ‘We are complying with the new UK and US regulations and would advise customers to arrive in good time for their flights both at check-in and also at the boarding gate.
‘We would advise that all customers flying on routes into and out of the UK as well on flights from the UK to US cities ensure that their electronic devices are powered up, as there may be extra searches and checks before boarding. Our flights continue to operate as normal.’
It added: Safety and security is our top priority at all times and we continue to work closely with airports and governments around the world.’

DM