US laptop ban on Emirates flights lifted

dubai — Emirates and Turkish Airways have been exempted from a US ban on carry-on electronics in airplane cabins, it was announced on Wednesday.

“Effective immediately, the electronics ban has been lifted for Emirates’ flights from Dubai International Airport to the USA,” the airline said in a statement. “Emirates has been working hard in coordination with various aviation stakeholders and the local authorities to implement heightened security measures and protocols that meet the requirements of the US Department of Homeland Security’s new security guidelines for all US-bound flights.

The announcements come three days after Etihad announced that the restrictions would be lifted on its flights between Abu Dhabi and the US.

dubai — Emirates airline has announced that the ban on carry-on electronics has been lifted on USbound flights from Dubai following the implementation of new security measures that meet US government requirements.

“Effective immediately, the electronics ban has been lifted for Emirates’ flights from Dubai International Airport to the USA,” the airline said in a statement. “Emirates has been working hard in coordination with various aviation stakeholders and the local authorities to implement heightened security measures and protocols that meet the requirements of the US Department of Homeland Security’s new security guidelines for all US bound flights.

“We would like to express our gratitude to the US and local authorities for their support and thank our customers for their understanding and patience during the last few months when the ban was in place,” the airline added.

Emirates’ announcement comes three days after Abu Dhabi’s Etihad announced that the restrictions would be lifted on its flights between Abu Dhabi and the United States, following the successful validation of security measures at the US Preclearance facility at the Abu Dhabi airport. The facility allows US-bound passengers to clear US immigration and customs before they board and arrive in the US as domestic passengers.

Saj Ahmad, an analyst with the London-based StrategicAero Research, said that the laptop ban “will allow Emirates to not only claw back lucrative high fare paying passengers on US-bound flights, but it will also decrease the risk and costs of packing up devices to store in the cargo hold”.

“Added passenger traffic will push a sharp rebound in load factors and I can see Emirates reinstating services to cities like Boston and Seattle, for example — cities that had frequencies reduced in the wake of demand falling due to the travel ban and electronic device ban,” he added.

Ahmad also noted that the UAE has “led the way in aviation compliance”.

“Etihad getting the ban lifted a few days ago meant that Emirates would not be that far behind in getting approval too,” he noted. “Travellers will welcome this news and of course, it means they won’t have to worry about their prized possessions being damaged in luggage that is often flung around carelessly by ramp agents.”

Passengers rejoice

The lifting of the carry-on electronics ban has been widely praised by Emirates passengers — particularly Americans — who fly to the US.

I’m relieved I can carry (these items) with me again on a flight to the US. It’s the only way I can make memories with my dad.” Mohammed Anis, Egyptian filmmaker

Effective immediately, the electronics ban has been lifted for Emirates’ flights from Dubai International Airport to the USA.” Emirates statement

Etihad getting the ban lifted a few days ago meant that Emirates would not be that far behind in getting approval too.”

Saj Ahmad, analyst with StrategicAero Research

“I think the lifting of the ban will have major effects on the future of travel between Dubai, the US, and the remainder of the Middle East,” American expat Mike Singer said. “I just hope in the future these things can be avoided and president Trump and his administration can work together with the rest of the world on issues like this.”

I just hope in the future these things can be avoided and president Trump and his administration can work together with rest of the world.” Mike Singer, American expat

Another Dubai-based American, Viviana Villasmil, said that, while she is pleased at the ban being lifted, she believed that electronics ban was never really about safety”.

“I suppose I am quite happy. To me, it always seemed like the ban was an attempt on behalf of the US government to stifle increasing competition from Gulf airlines, which are light years ahead of

To me, it always seemed like the ban was an attempt on behalf of the US government to stifle increasing competition from Gulf airlines.” Viviana Villasmil, American expat

those back home,” she said.

“Let’s see what else these guys have up their sleeve,” she added. “This won’t be their last attempt at trying to encourage US-bound passengers to fly American carriers.”

For Egyptian expat Mohammed Anis, a filmmaker who said the electronics ban negatively impacted his work while flying to the US, the lifting of restrictions on his camera and laptop carry particular importance.

“I’m relieved I can carry (these items) with me again on a flight to the US,” he said. “It’s the only way I can make memories with my dad, a cancer patient who resides in the US. Without (the items), I won’t be able to take pictures or record my moments with him.”