An international association representing the airline industry is worried that an expansion of a U.S. ban on electronics devices on flights could have severe economic ramifications for overseas travel.

In an interview with Bloomberg News, International Air Transportation Association CEO Alexandre de Juniac said expansion of the ban could lead to a "significant" disruption of the transatlantic airline travel industry. His group estimates the ban could cost travelers $1 billion in lost productivity and longer travel times.

"Traveling with your laptop is part of everyday life," De Juniac told Bloomberg. "We are not sure that this ban is adapted to the threat. We don't know what is the basis or intelligence that justifies this measure."

Travelers from certain Middle East and African countries are currently prohibited from bringing laptops and tablets into airline cabins because of fears the devices could be used to hide bombs. The Department of Homeland Security has proposed expanding the ban to include Europe.

IATA believes business travelers in particular will book fewer flights if they cannot work on their devices midflight.

Airlines for America, which represents U.S. airlines, so far has issued no statements about the proposed expansion. https://bloom.bg/2qsG3H1

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