Etihad, Emirates passengers flying to America hit hard by electronics ban
KUALA LUMPUR: Passengers travelling on Middle Eastern airlines namely Etihad and Emirates will not be allowed to carry electronic devices larger than a cell phone or smart phone in the cabin, ArabianBusiness.com reported.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require passengers travelling from 10 Middle East airports, including Emirates' Dubai hub, to stow electronic devices larger than a mobile phone with their checked baggage on all flights to America from the end of the week.
Etihad Airways said a following a directive from US authorities affecting selected airports, the airline has been advised that guests travelling to the US from Abu Dhabi International Airport are not permitted to carry electronic devices larger than a cell phone or smartphone in the cabin.
Mobile phones and medical devices are permitted but larger items such as laptops, tablets, cameras and e-readers will need to be placed into checked-in baggage, ArabianBusiness.com reported the airline as saying in a statement.
For guests bound for the US, this must be done at the point of origin which may not necessarily be at Abu Dhabi International Airport, it added.
New restrictions on passengers carrying electronics on US flights will be in place for nearly seven months, an Emirates spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
An Emirates spokeswoman confirmed the airline was subject to the "new security directive issued by the Transportation Security Administration."
Devices such as tablets, portable DVD players, laptops and cameras will have to be checked under the directive. Medical devices will be excluded.
"The directive comes into effect on March 25 and is valid until Oct 14," ArabianBusiness.com quoted an Emirates spokeswoman as saying in an emailed statement.
"It is applicable to all US-bound passengers from Dubai International Airport, whether originating or transiting through," she added.
The new rules come into effect for US-bound flights departing Abu Dhabi on March 25. — Bernama