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10 Jul 2017 | 09:25 AM UTC

United States: Electronic carry-on ban lifted for Qatar /update 5

Electronic carry-on ban claimed be lifted for direct flights to US from Qatar beginning July 6; no official confirmation

Warning
transportation
USA

Event

As of July 6, various international airlines have made claims that the ban on laptops and other electronics in cabins on direct flights to the United States has been lifted for their airlines. Most recently, Qatar Airways announced on Thursday, July 6, that the ban had been lifted for its direct flights from Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH) to the US, effective immediately.

Earlier in the week Emirates airlines announced that the US had lifted the electronics ban on flights departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB), and the the CEO of Turkish Airlines made the same claim regarding direct flights from Istanbul's Atatürk International Airport (IST). The US government has not yet issued any official statement regarding the Turkey, Emirates, or Qatari cases.

These announcements come after the United States lifted the ban on electronics on direct flights departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

Saudi Arabian Airlines has also announced it hopes to be off the ban list on or before July 19.

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. Turkish Airways responded by providing laptops to its business travelers.

As a reminder, the restrictions were initially implemented at the following ten airports:

  • Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, Jordan
  • Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Egypt
  • Atatürk International Airport (IST) in Istanbul, Turkey
  • King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
  • Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca, Morocco
  • Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar
  • Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates
  • Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) in the United Arab Emirates

Advice

Travelers are advised to contact their airline for more information.

Analysis