WEARY FLYERS SHRUG AS BAN TAKES OFF
It will last until at least Oct 14
DUBAI of the year.
Around 1.1 million people are expected to pass through as the city marks UAE spring break, Dubai Airports said.
An estimated 260,000 travellers were expected each day from Friday through Monday. Dubai International Airport expects 89 million passengers this year.
Staff in red suits could be seen at the airport yesterday, carrying signs explaining the electronics ban, ready to appease travellers with games and activities for children.
Government-owned Emirates, which operates 18 direct flights to the US daily, also began a service to enable passengers to use their electronic devices after check-in and until boarding.
The US last week announced a ban on electronics larger than a standard smartphone on board direct flights out of eight countries across the Middle East. US officials would not specify how long the ban will last, but Emirates said it had been instructed to enforce the measures until at least Oct 14.
The ban covers electronics sold at Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Airports chief executive officer Paul Griffiths said earlier this week.
Adding to the disruption yesterday, a number of flights out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports were delayed due to thunderstorms, including an Emirates flight to Houston.
Travellers using 10 airports across the Middle East and North Africa are subject to the ban.
Britain has also announced a parallel electronics ban, effective yesterday, targeting flights out of Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Lebanon.
Royal Jordanian, which operates direct flights to London, New York, Detroit and Chicago, poked fun at the ban with a number of social media posts suggesting alternative in-flight activities, including doing “what we Jordanians do best... stare at each other!”
The bans have come under criticism for targeting majority-Muslim countries.
But the US and Britain have cited intelligence indicating passenger jets could be targeted with explosives planted in such devices. AFP could help to find talents.”
The foundation will identify pilot schools in the African countries, provide them with learning kits and train teachers in chess with the goal of reaching one million children over the next five years.
Kasparov’s foundation has already introduced chess in school programmes around the world and he said he had found in developing countries that “there is more passion for success. They are willing to work harder.
“I expect the same passion in Africa. We just have to create the conditions.”
Kasparov, who became the youngest world chess champion in 1985 at age 22, and retired from the game in 2005.
He has become involved in politics and human rights issues and is an outspoken critic of the regime of President Vladimir Putin. AFP