Curbs hugely disruptive: Emirates

dubai — It is “amazing” to suggest that Dubai Airport isn’t as other airports in Asia, Europe or North America, according to Emirates president Tim Clark.

Clark’s comments come a day after Dubai was included on a list of Middle Eastern airports from which passengers cannot carryon electronic gadgets aside from mobile phones on direct flights to the US.

In an interview with CNNMoney, Clark questioned why some airlines and airports were affected by the new security measures, and not others. “After all, if these devices are viewed by the United States and the United Kingdom as potential instruments of threat, they can be loaded on any airplane anywhere,” he said.

“To suggest that Dubai doesn’t have the equal capabilities or better than the Europeans, the Americans and the Asians in terms of search, interdiction and surveillance, I find amazing,” he added. “I know this airport.”

In a separate interview, Clark told the Associated Press that he only learned of the regulations the same day, and noted that Emirates “had no prior knowledge whatsoever”.

On Tuesday morning, an Emirates spokesperson told Khaleej Times they were unaware of any changes, but later in the day acknowledged the restrictions would take effect on March 25, and would continue to be in place until October 14.

Clark noted that Emirates would comply with the American directives. “It’s clearly a policy decision from the United States and we as an airline operating in the United States have to comply with what the government of the United States wants...Of course, it’s hugely disruptive but Emirates is very resilient in dealing with disruptions in our organisation,” Clark said.

However, he questioned why Dubai was among the 10 airports in the US order. “I do find that a little bit surprising to be quite honest,” he said. “When I travel around even the United States or Europe or Asia, I don’t see this level of scrutiny that goes on in Dubai.”

“Emirates and its owner, the government of Dubai, and the airport ... which we use as our primary hub is as safe as any airport or any airline could possibly be,” he also noted, adding that UAE authorities work with their US counterparts to ensure “the people that they are concerned about coming into the United States do not board our flights”.

Emirates currently operates 18 daily flights to 12 US cities, including New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com