Airline and travel-industry groups are quietly expressing concern about a plan under consideration by U.S. security authorities to prohibit passengers from carrying their laptop computers into the cabin on flights from Europe.

Extending electronics restrictions — now in place for travel from some Middle Eastern and African airports — to Europe would disrupt one of the world's busiest and most lucrative travel markets just ahead of the peak summer tourism season. It could also hinder business passengers' ability to work on their laptops on long-haul routes across the Atlantic.

Two travel trade groups, the Global Business Travel Association and the U.S. Travel Association, issued statements Thursday saying genuine security risks should be addressed, but also urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be as flexible as possible to minimize disruptions.