Tough new security measures have been introduced by the US for flights entering the country, but does not include the extending of a ban on laptops in the cabin, a report said.

US Homeland Security chief John Kelly had raised fears of a wider ban late last month, saying he was considering extending the security protocol to 71 airports in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said a report in WAM.

The restrictions on laptops were first announced in March this year for US-bound flights to and from 10 Middle East and North Africa airports, as part of measures to "combat terrorism".

The new measures, announced yesterday, require enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices on flights leaving from 105 countries.

Airlines have been given 120 days to comply, or could face a ban on carrying all passenger electronics. They could even be denied the right to fly into the US, the report said.

The new measures include enhanced overall passenger screening, heightened screening of personal electronic devices, increased security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas, and expanded canine screening.

Kelly said: "Make no mistake, our enemies are constantly working to find new methods for disguising explosives, recruiting insiders, and hijacking aircraft. We cannot play international whack-a-mole with each new threat. Instead, we must put in place new measures across the board to keep the travelling public safe and make it harder for terrorists to succeed."

The measures will cover 280 airports and 180 airlines, affecting an average of 2,100 flights a day, carrying 325,000 passengers, it said.

Homeland security officials in the US said that even the airports included in the original laptop ban could have it lifted if they complied with the new regulations.