Turkey: UK lifts electronics ban on select flights /update 1

Event

The government of the United Kingdom lifted a ban on passengers carrying larger electronic devices (i.e., laptops, DVD players, tablets, e-readers, and digital cameras) on select flights from the Turkey to the UK on Friday, July 28. Officials lifted the ban on Turkish Airlines flights from Istanbul's Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airports, and Pegasus Airways flights from Sabiha Gokcen and Izmir. The ban still applies to flights from other airlines operating out of the Ataturk and Izmir airports, and flights from elsewhere in Turkey.

Officials in the UK reported that the ban was lifted following the introduction of new security measures, and that further easing of existing restrictions is being evaluated on a case by case basis.

Context

UK officials announced on March 21, that passengers on direct flights from six countries to the country will be banned from carrying onto the airplane electronic devices larger than 16 cm (6.3 in) long, 9.3 cm (3.7 in) wide, or 1.5 cm (0.6 in) deep (i.e., most laptops, DVD players, tablets, e-readers, and digital cameras). Most cell phones do not exceed these measurements and are allowed in the cabin. Larger devices will need to be packed into luggage and checked in before going through airport security.

The UK ban applies to direct flights from: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Turkey. The ban impacts six UK airlines: British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook, and Thomson. It will also impacts eight foreign carriers: Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air, and Saudia.

Advice

Those traveling to the United Kingdom from the Turkey are advised comply with all airline regulations, monitor the situation via reliable media, and contact their airlines for further information.​