The Department for Transport has advised that passengers on inbound flights to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia, will have to check any phones, laptops and tablets larger than a standard smartphone (specifically: Length: 16.0cm, Width: 9.3cm, Depth: 1.5cm) into checked baggage.
Having been made aware of these new regulations ABTA has advised that the most immediate priority must be to make sure travellers are aware of the new rules and to pack their bags correctly to help minimise disruption through security and protect their items from confiscation.
The Travel Association will be working with members to make sure that their customers are aware of the new requirements and pack their bags accordingly.
If passengers are travelling with laptops and tablet computers, such as iPads and Kindles, they are advised to contact their travel insurance company ahead of travel as these devices are typically not covered by travel insurance policies either for loss, damage or theft when placed in the hold.
Passengers travelling to the countries affected may wish to consider leaving their electronic devices at home.
