Laptop ban affects fliers

Under the new restrictions announced by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security Tuesday, personal electronics larger than cellphones will be banned indefinitely in the cabins of certain flights to the United States. Here’s what travelers need to know:

You’ll be affected if you’re flying to the U. S. from these 10 airports:

Istanbul; Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; Amman, Jordan; Cairo; Casablanca, Morocco; Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Kuwait City.

… or if you’re flying non- stop to the U. S. on one of these nine airlines:

EgyptAir; Emirates; Etihad Airways; Kuwait Airways; Qatar Airways; Royal Air Maroc; Royal Jordanian; Saudia; Turkish Airlines.

U. S. carriers do not fly from any of the affected airports. Homeland Security estimates the ban will affect about 50 flights a day bound for the United States.

Does the ban cover flights departing from the U. S. to the 10 airports?

No. Homeland Security says fliers can take laptops and other larger electronic items as part of their carry- on allowance on flights leaving from U. S. airports.

Exactly what is banned?

Laptops and larger electronics are banned from being taken on board as carry- on luggage. Smartphones are allowed, and Homeland Security says “approved medical devices may be brought into the cabin after additional screening.”

Can those banned electronic items be checked instead?

Customers can check laptops and other items, though experts frequently advise fliers against doing so. That’s because these typically expensive and fragile items could be a target for theft or can be damaged in the handling of checked bags.

How long will this last?

“Indefinitely,” according to Homeland Security. However, one airline said in a communication to its customers that the electronics ban would remain in effect through Oct. 14.

KAMRAN JEBREILI, AP Dubai is one of several foreign airports affected by an electronics ban.