News story

Changes to UK aviation security

Large phones, laptops and tablets are now allowed in the cabin on flights to the UK.

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 28 July 2017
• Last updated: 9 January 2019 — See all updates

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin have been lifted on all UK bound flights from the following airports:

• Amman (Jordan)
• Antalya (Turkey)
• Beirut (Lebanon)
• Bodrum (Turkey)
• Cairo (Egypt)
• Dalaman (Turkey)
• Hurghada (Egypt)
• Istanbul Atatürk (Turkey)
• Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (Turkey)
• Izmir (Turkey)
• Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
• Luxor (Egypt)
• Marsa Alam (Egypt)
• Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
• Tunis-Carthage International (Tunisia)

Passengers on flights where restrictions have been lifted will now be able to take large phones, laptops, tablets and accessories into the cabin with them. Normal cabin baggage restrictions will continue to apply.

This information is correct as of 9 January 2019.

The UK government has lifted a ban on carrying large electronic devices in the aircraft cabin of flights to the UK.

Restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops, tablets and accessories into the cabin of UK-bound flights from Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Tunisia were introduced in March.

However, after working with the aviation industry and international partners to introduce tough additional security measures, the UK government has lifted these restrictions on UK-bound flights.

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Published 28 July 2017
Last updated 9 January 2019 + show all updates

1. 9 January 2019

   Jeddah and Riyadh airports in Saudi Arabia and Beirut airport in Lebanon are no longer subject to restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin.

2. 18 October 2018

   Amman airport in Jordan no longer subject to restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin.

3. 11 September 2018

   Istanbul Atatürk and Dalaman airports in Turkey no longer subject to restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin.

4. 30 August 2018

   Cairo airport no longer subject to restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin.

5. 26 February 2018

   The vast majority of carriers operating from airports in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia are no longer subject to these restrictions. Passengers should contact their airlines for advice about whether their flights are affected.

6. 21 December 2017

   Hurghada and Marsa Alam airports no longer subject to restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin.

7. 7 December 2017

   Restrictions on carrying large phones, laptops and tablets in the cabin have been lifted on all UK bound flights from Luxor (Egypt).

8. 22 September 2017

   Restrictions on carrying large electronic devices in the aircraft cabin on flights to the UK lifted at Antalya, Izmir and Bodrum airports in Turkey.

9. 22 August 2017

   Restrictions on carrying large electronic devices in the aircraft cabin on flights to the UK lifted at Tunis-Carthage International Airport.

10. 28 July 2017

    First published.