FAA prohibits some Apple laptops from U.S. flights over fire risk

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Federal flight regulators have added certain Apple laptops to the "no fly" list of banned items on U.S. flights, because of a risk their batteries could catch fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday MacBook Pro laptops with batteries affected by a June Apple safety recall are not allowed on domestic flights.

Apple said the batteries could overheat and pose a safety risk. They were installed on MacBook Pro laptops sold between September 2015 and February 2017.

"In early July, we alerted airlines about the recall, and we informed the public," the FAA said.

Four international cargo carriers -- TUI Group Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Italy and Air Transat -- have also barred the devices. The European Union's Aviation Safety Agency requires electronic devices with small lithium-ion batteries to be switched off during flights.

More than 450,000 laptops with recalled batteries were sold in the United States and Canada.