washington u.s. government might expand ban large electronics like laptops airplane cabin flight originate dozens airports europe middle east africa head homeland security say wednesday though expansion could avoid countries agree improve security procedures u.s. restrictions impose march currently cover 350 flight week originate 10 airports primarily middle east extend ban european airports directly serve u.s. airports would affect nearly 400 flight day cover 30 million travelers pose major logistical challenge airlines security officials say look right additional 71 airports secretary homeland security john kelly tell house representatives panel also look ways think mitigate threat without expand ban kelly say deputy attend conference malta next week present think minimum increase security standards ... present people say meet standards ban large electronics restrictions laptops announce march include flight originate airports unite arab emirates saudi arabia qatar turkey come amid fear conceal bomb could instal electronic devices take aboard aircraft britain quickly follow suit restrictions slightly different set rout kelly say many countries work add ban list improve screen detect sophisticate device call danger real serious constant threat knock airplane kelly say homeland security spokesman david lapan decline identify 71 airports consideration move restrict carry large electronics cargo hold aircraft potential safety implications relate past problems laptop batteries kelly say review concern u.s. transportation secretary elaine chao senate hear wednesday say lithium ion batteries airplanes problem difficult issue administration grapple especially security point view chao say laptop fire cabin detect quickly versus device store cargo hold may 30 new york jetblue airways corp flight bind san francisco divert michigan lithium battery fire passenger laptop airplane cabin u.s. might expand laptop ban 71 airports homeland security