Large electronic devices banned from cabin on some US-bound flights
Friday, 21 Mar, 2017
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US authorities said electronic devices except cellphones will be banned from carry-on bags on nonstop flights from several airports mostly in the Middle East and North Africa.
US officials said due to security concerns all electronics larger than a cell phone can only be carried in checked baggage.
The affected departure points are reportedly Amman in Jordan, Kuwait City, Cairo, Istanbul, Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Casablanca, Morocco, Doha, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, the Washington Post reported.
Devices banned in the cabin include laptops, Kindles, iPads and other similar gadgets.
An official told CNN it relates to the standard of security screening in certain countries for nonstop flights.
A State Department official said the relevant countries and airlines which serve them have been notified but the US government has not officially disclosed any information.
The electronics ban does not impact any US airlines as they do not fly direct to any of the 10 destinations.
Royal Jordanian tweeted that after ‘instructions from concerned US authorities’ large electronics were strictly prohibited inside the cabin on direct US-bound flights.
It would take effect from Tuesday March 21, it said.
However Royal Jordanian mysteriously deleted the tweet later.
Airline spokesman Basel Kilani told The Associated Press it was still awaiting officials instructions from the US before implementing the new policy.
A New York-bound EgyptAir flight allowed passengers to take devices onboard as they too had not received any formal instructions by the time of departure early Tuesday.
A Department of Homeland Security statement failed to clear up the confusion saying: "We have no comment on potential security precautions, but will provide any update as appropriate."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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