Laptop ban hits flights from SA
Storage issues may cause fear
BUSINESS travellers who normally work on their long flights to the USA and the UK, will be banned from using their laptops and tablets from tomorrow.
The ban, imposed on direct flights from 10 cities to any airport in the US as well as any direct flights to the UK from six countries, also applies to portable DVD players, cameras, e-readers and any device larger than a normal smartphone (16cm x 9.3cm x 1.5cm).
The ban, which does not apply to cellphones or medical devices, is expected to cause local business travellers worry, because their laptops and other electronic devices will have to be packed into their main luggage that goes in the aircraft hold.
This will cause fear about theft and damage, with travellers probably having to take out extra insurance, or investing in a strong zip-free suitcase.
It is also expected to give government employees headaches because they have to carry their laptops with them at all times.
Richard Cookson, a Durbanbased international business consultant, said last night that the real impact would be preflight in the airport lounges after passengers have gone through security.
“That is when a lot of people work on their laptops and catch up with their e-mails. They use them more pre-flight than on the planes,” he said.
The Trump administration ban to the US affects direct flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE), Cairo (Egypt), Is- tanbul (Turkey), Doha (Qatar), Amman (Jordan), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Casablanca (Morocco), Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
The direct UK flights that are affected involve Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey.
Because there are now direct flights from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport to Dubai (Emirates), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Doha (Qatar Airlines), thus making onward travel possible, this will directly affect local travellers, as well as those flying out of other South African airports.
The bans have been implemented for increased security reasons after intelligence received by the US Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Explaining the US position, a statement from the DHS said: “Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer devices…
“Based on this information, the Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and the Transportation Security Administration Acting Administrator Huban Gowadia have determined it is necessary to enhance security procedures for passengers at certain last point of departure airports to the US.”
The UK government, which had been in close touch with the Americans to “fully understand” their position, had then followed suit, with a government spokesperson saying that the safety and security of the travelling public was of the highest priority.
According to reports, UK government sources stressed that the decision was not connected to US President Donald Trump’s ban on citizens from Muslim-majority countries.
And according to travel agent Thomas Cook, the restrictions also apply to duty-free purchases of devices bought in airport shops.
However, Emirates last night announced that the airline had introduced a new laptop and tablet handling service for US flights from Dubai, enabling passengers to use their laptops and tablets until just before boarding.
They can use their devices on the first part of their journeys and also during transit in Dubai, but then must hand over their laptops, tablets and other banned electronic devices to security staff at the gate just before boarding their US-bound flights.
“The devices will be packed into boxes, loaded into the aircraft hold, and returned to the customer at their US destination. There will not be any charge for this service.”
Passengers starting flights in Dubai are being encouraged to pack devices into their check-in luggage to avoid delays.
“Our new complimentary service enables passengers, particularly those flying for business, to have the flexibility to use their devices until the last possible moment,” said Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline.
MOST South Africans have watched developments in America over the last year or so with a mixture of amusement and some concern.
Until now, President Donald Trump’s decisions have not really impacted on us, but that changes from tomorrow.
Anyone who travels to the United States of America and the United Kingdom from certain cities will no longer be able to use their laptops and tablets on the plane. In fact, any gadget bigger than a smartphone is affected, including cameras and portable DVD players.
The devices can be carried, but only if they are packed into the main luggage that goes to the baggage hold on the plane. The decision is apparently driven by intelligence and designed to protect airline passengers from acts of terrorism.
Flights from several cities around the world will be affected. They include Dubai, Doha and Istanbul, all of which are linked directly to Durban via King Shaka International Airport.
It shows just how small our world has become. It also proves that while Trump may be the president of America, the decisions he makes affect us all.