Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Etihad have all announced that they are no longer under the laptop ban, allowing travelers to bring laptops and other large electronic devices into airplane cabins.
Emirates and Turkish Airlines both announced Wednesday that they were no longer under the ban. Etihad was cleared to allow laptops in cabins Sunday, NPR reports.
Dear Passengers, #WelcomeOnBoard to our US-bound flight. Please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy your own electronic devices. pic.twitter.com/WbcZwNPhrf
— Turkish Airlines (@TurkishAirlines) July 4, 2017
According to Reuters, the ban on flights from Dubai International Airport was lifted after the implementation of the new security measures announced by the U.S. late last week.
NBC News reports that in Turkey, security officials are now using CT scanners to take cross-section images of passengers’ electronics before they board airplanes headed to the United States.
Effective immediately laptops & electronic devices can be taken onboard all Emirates flights from Dubai to the US https://t.co/ii805S5mkN pic.twitter.com/iU7WCFKSq1
— Emirates airline (@emirates) July 5, 2017
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the new security measures late last week, avoiding a proposed expansion of the laptop ban to include flights from additional destinations that had caused much concern in the travel industry. While the new security measures will include elements both visible and invisible to passengers, according to a statement by the DHS, the new rules do not involve changes to items allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. However, passengers flying to the U.S. may experience additional screening of their person and property, the DHS warned.
When the new security measures were first announced, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said it welcomed them as an alternative to expanding the laptop ban.
“Keeping our passengers and crew safe and secure is our top priority,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, in a written release. “This creates a natural partnership with governments, which have the primary responsibility for security. Today’s actions raise the bar on security.”
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