US lifts in-cabin ban on electronic devices on Emirates, Turkish airlines

The US has lifted the in-cabin ban on laptops and other large electronic devices on US-bound flights from Dubai and Istanbul, Emirates and Turkish Airlines said on Wednesday.

The announcement is coming three days after restrictions were lifted on Etihad Airways’ hub Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The US had in March imposed the ban on flights originating at ten airports in eight countries -Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey, to address fears that bombs could be concealed in electronic devices taken aboard aircraft.

The ban was lifted “effective immediately” on Dubai International, the world’s busiest airport for international travel, after new security measures announced by the US on June 28 were implemented, an Emirates spokesperson said in a statement.

Emirates, the Middle East’s largest airline and which flies to 12 US cities, had blamed travel restrictions imposed by Donald Trump’s administration for a drop in demand for US flights.

The Dubai-based carrier cut flights to five US cities from May.

It however said demand was starting to return on some routes.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines said in a statement that passengers traveling to the US could now take their laptops onboard.

There was no immediate comment available from US officials on the lifting of the ban in Dubai and Istanbul.

The US announced on June 29 enhanced security measures for flights to the country which require additional time to screen passengers and personal electronic devices for possible explosives.

Airlines that fail to meet the new security requirements could still face in-cabin electronics restrictions.