The Times suggests that Donald Trump is considering extending his ban on large electronic devices being carried in aircraft cabins on flights from Europe. Such a move would follow a rule put in place last month on flights to the US from the Middle East.

The Times believes that no announcement is imminent, but that a move by the US Department for Homeland security is under serious consideration and could be confirmed within weeks.

Under the rules imposed by Trump on flights from the Middle East, nothing larger than a mobile phone can be carried into the cabin; all other devices must be checked into the hold. There is no such rule on flights to the Middle East, as Trump considers that US airport security is good enough to root out any rogue devices.

If the ban is extended to the UK, it will have a huge effect on busy transatlantic flights. Apart from concerns that expensive gadgets will get damaged, lost or stolen, business travellers will be especially concerned about the amount of productive time they will lose on flights, particularly to destinations like New York, which attracts a high number of corporate travellers.