The UK government has announced changes to aviation security measures on selected inbound flights to the UK that restrict the size of electronic items that may be carried by passengers in the cabin.

A statement from the UK government said flights from the following countries are affected by the restrictions: Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia.

IATA calculations show that this ban will impact about 393 scheduled passenger flights per week, equivalent to about 2.7 % of the total international scheduled passenger flights to the UK.

US authorities ordered a ban on laptop computers, tablets, cameras and other items larger than cell phones in passenger cabins to the US from certain airports.

The aviation security enhancements will include requiring that all personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone or smart phone be placed in checked baggage at 10 airports where flights are departing for the United States.

A Q&A and factsheet are available on the US Department of Homeland Security website. Passengers flying to the US directly from the named airports - Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Cairo International Airport (CAI), Ataturk International Airport (IST), King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED), King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Mohammed V Airport (CMN), Hamad International Airport (DOH), Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) - should allow extra time at the airport.

IATA calculations show that this ban will impact about 350 scheduled flights a week, equivalent to about 2% of total international flights to the US.

Safety and security is the top priority of everyone involved in aviation. Airlines comply with government requirements and they can do this most effectively when measures are well coordinated.