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U.S. Government Orders Electronics Ban on Flights to the United States

by Nicole Quaste

Mar 22, 2017
News

The U.S. government announced a ban on large electronics from several major airports in the Middle East and North Africa to the United States.

The ban ordered nine airlines to stop passengers from bringing most types of electronic devices into the cabin for U.S.-bound flights. Instead, travelers are required to check these items. Smartphones are allowed, but passengers will need to check in any electronic device larger than a cellphone, including laptops, cameras, e-readers, gaming devices and tablets. All medical devices that are required during flight will be allowed after a security screening.

The 10 airports covered by the electronics ban are as follows: Queen Alia International (AMM), Cairo International Airport (CAI), Ataturk International Airport (IST), King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED), King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Mohammed V Airport (CMN), Hamad International Airport (DOH), Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

The prohibition impacts flights to the United States from any of these cities, regardless of where the passenger originates. For those connecting through one of these 10 airports, the Department of Homeland Security recommends passengers put any large personal electronic devices in their checked bags upon check-in at their originating airport.

While the electronics ban does not impact domestic flights within the United States or flights departing the United States, it does pose several challenges for travelers. As the ban includes laptops and tablets, business travelers will not have the option to work on long-haul flights from the affected airports, an inconvenience for many traveling from economic hubs in the Middle East and North Africa. Requiring travelers to stow electronic devices in checked baggage also increases the risk of damage, and many airlines do not accept liability if this happens.

Another potential challenge comes with the fact that several airlines have begun moving away from seat-back entertainment on flights, as a majority of passengers bring personal devices on board. Airlines are investing heavily in onboard WiFi rather than seat-back screens, and the ban will pose problems for many in regards to entertainment on long-haul flights.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the following in a statement about why the ban was put in place: “The U.S. Government is concerned about terrorists’ ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 airliner downing in Egypt, the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia, and the 2016 armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul. Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.”

The nine airlines that operate direct flights to the United States from these airports are Egyptair, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines. The ban will likely affect more than 50 flights.

The U.K. Department of Transport proposed a similar ban, which will prohibit large electronics in cabins on flights to the United Kingdom from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia.

According to the U.S. DHS, the ban will remain in place “until the threat changes.”

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