US ends laptop ban on international flights

This past March, the Department of Homeland Security banned electronic devices larger than a smartphone in cabins of planes on direct U.S. flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa.

"We're multi-taskers, so we need our technology," one traveler said.

That meant no laptops or tablets and security experts say the threat of explosives hidden in a laptop was too real at the time. Those restrictions were lifted on Thursday.

"There has to be a limit to what rights and privileges we have, that we have when flying and traveling," one passenger said. "There has to be a cap somewhere. You just can't keep going after everything because it's inhibiting our rights."

Some passengers at Sky Harbor Airport say the ban was unnecessary and now a new ban has been put into place.

Laptops and tablets on U.S.-bound flights from Mexico will be subjected to heightened carry-on security measures. This comes at the request of the Department of Homeland Security.

The agency says the extra checks are in response to concerns that terror groups are seeking ways to get around airport security.

Travelers are mostly unphased by the news, describing the latest ban as a sign of the times.

"It doesn't matter because somebody is going to do something bad," one traveler said. "We do the best we can and laptops is just the most current problem and the one that we are aware of now. Underwear bomber, show bomber, etcetera, etcetera, it's just a very difficult time in our country right now."

The new security measures went into effect immediately.