Saudi Arabia: US electronics ban lifted for Saudi Arabian Airlines

Event

On Monday, July 17, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it had lifted the ban on laptops and other electronics in airplane cabins for Saudi Arabian Airlines (a.k.a. Saudia) on direct flights to the United States.

Saudia is the last airline to have the restrictions lifted of the original nine affected, which included Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Kuwait Airways, EgyptAir, and Royal Air Maroc. The other eight airlines announced the lifting of the ban for their flights progressively over the past weeks following the implementation of increased security measures. The electronics ban on flights to the US is now no longer in effect in any Middle Eastern or North African airports.

Context

In March 2017, a measure went into effect that prevented passengers flying directly to the United States from ten Middle Eastern and North African airports from transporting any electronic devices larger than a "normal sized" smartphone (16 cm x 9.3 cm x 1.5 cm / 6.3 in x 3.5 in x 0.6 in) in carry-on luggage. Laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, DVD players, and video games must be transported in checked luggage if flying to the US from these airports. It is no longer in effect as of July 17.

Advice

Travelers are advised to contact their airline for more information.