LAPTOP BAN HITS 1.1M TRAVELLERS

Dubai, March 25: Dubai International Airport and its flag carrier Emirates began implementing a ban on laptops and tablets on direct flights to the US, on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

Over 1.1 million people are expected to pass through the busiest international airport as the city marks UAE spring break, Dubai Airports’ senior vice president for communications Anita Mehra said.

An estimated 2,60,000 travellers were expected to pass through each day from Friday through Monday. Dubai International Airport expects 89 million passengers this year.

From Dubai to Doha, passengers on dozens of flights checked in their electronic devices, as the laptop ban came into effect.

“It’s a rule. I follow the rules,” said Rakan Mohammed, a Qatari national who flies from Doha to the US two to three times a year.

“The bigger problem for my family is the no smoking. On a long flight, they become restless after three hours.” — AFP