Flying to US? Now you can't carry these items

Dubai - US is poised to ban large electronic devices on board flights from up to a dozen Middle East nations.

Dubai-based carrier Emirates on Tuesday announced that electronic devices larger than a cell phone or smartphone, excluding medical devices, will not be allowed in the cabin of flights to the US.
"Emirates can confirm that as per the new security directive issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), electronic devices larger than a cell phone/smart phone, excluding medical devices, cannot be carried in the cabin of the aircraft," a statement from the airline said.
"The directive comes into effect on March 25, 2017 and is valid until October 14, 2017. It is applicable to all US-bound passengers from Dubai International Airport, whether originating or transiting through. Emirates requests that all passengers travelling to the US pack all electronic devices larger than a cell phone/smart phone in their checked-in baggage," an Emirates spokesperson said.
The announcement comes shortly after the US government, in a bid to improve security, announced plans to temporarily ban electronic items - including tablets, iPads, and cameras - in carry-on baggage on flights originating from certain international airports in the Middle East.
Quoting a US official, the AP has reported that the ban will apply to direct flights from 10 airports: Cairo, Amman, Kuwait City, Casablanca, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.  
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Other officials quoted in various news outlets have said that the ban will include between eight and 10 airports. Officials told Reuters that the ban is due to an unspecified security concern.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com

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