An announcement on the potential ban for electronics larger than the size of a smart phone had been anticipated following a call between John Kelly, the Homeland Security Secretary and European Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc.

Following the call, a senior EU official told the Telegraph: “No ban. Both sides have agreed to intensify technical talks and try to find a common solution.”

Although within hours a contradictory statement issued on Kelly’s behalf insisted that the proposed ban was “still on the table”.

The statement added: “Secretary Kelly affirmed he will implement any and all measures necessary to secure commercial aircraft flying to the United States – including prohibiting large electronic devices from the passenger cabin – if the intelligence and threat level warrant it.”

The ban was introduced by President Trump in March on flights to the US from eight mainly-Muslim countries and country affects 10 airports.