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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

US, UK ban laptops on flights from 10 airports

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By Kabeer Yousuf — MUSCAT: March 21 - As part of a series of aviation security enhancements, the United States and United Kingdom has banned laptops, iPads in the passengers’ cabin baggage on flights originating from specific airports. Accordingly, passengers travelling from airports in Cairo, Istanbul, Kuwait City, Doha, Casablanca, Amman, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi could not bring devices larger than a cellphone, such as tablets, portable DVD players, laptops and cameras, into the main cabin. Instead, they must be in checked baggage.


“The US Embassy in Muscat is aware of aviation security enhancements for 10 specific airports with direct commercial flights to the United States,” according to US Embassy in Muscat spokesperson Christy Watkins, who shared the information with the Observer, adding that for specific information related to aviation security enhancements, travellers are encouraged to visit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website at https://www.dhs.gov/news-releases/fact-sheets.


The aviation security enhancements will require that all personal electronic devices larger than a cellphone or smartphone be placed in checked baggage at 10 airports where flights are departing for the United States.


Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly directed a series of aviation security enhancements at a limited number of 10 overseas airports that serve as last points of departure for commercial flights to the US.


This change is due to ongoing threats from terrorist organisations.


It further says that electronic devices larger than a cellphone/smartphone will not be allowed to be carried onboard the aircraft in carry-on luggage or other accessible property.


Electronic devices that exceed this size limit must be secured in checked luggage. Necessary medical devices will be allowed to remain in a passenger’s possession after they are screened. The approximate size of a commonly available smartphone is considered to be a guideline for passengers.


Examples of large electronic devices that will not be allowed in the cabin on affected flights include, but are not limited to laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, electronic game units larger than a smartphone, and travel printers/scanners.


The information further says that new procedures remain in place until the threat changes.


These are risk-based decisions and TSA continuously assesses security risks and seeks to balance necessary security requirements with their operational impact on the industry.


Meanwhile, Britain has also introduced restrictions on carry-on electronic goods on direct inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia for the safety of the public, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said.


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