US lifts laptop bans on Emirates and Turkish Airlines

The cabin ban on laptops on flights to the United States no longer applies to Emirates and Turkish Airlines flights.

The controversial measure was introduced in March, when laptops and large electronic devices were banned on flights to and from eight Muslim countries to the US by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Last week, the UAE capital Abu Dhabi became the first Middle Eastern city to be exempted from the laptop ban as DHS lifted the restriction after verifying that Eithad Airways had incorporated "enhanced security measures".

On Wednesday (5 July), Emirates confirmed the ban had been lifted at Dubai Airport, from which it flies to 12 US destinations and which was among the nine international airports originally affected.

"Effective immediately, the electronics ban has been lifted for Emirates' flights from Dubai International Airport to the USA," said a spokeswoman for the airline.

"Emirates has been working hard in coordination with various aviation stakeholders and the local authorities to implement heightened security measures and protocols that meet the requirements of the US Department of Homeland Security's new security guidelines for all US bound flights.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the US and local authorities for their support and thank our customers for their understanding and patience during the last few months when the ban was in place."

The world's largest long-haul airline had sought to minimise discomfort for its passengers, by asking them to hand over laptops and large electronic devices, rather than checking them in with their luggage.

By doing so, Emirates explained, passengers would be able to use their devices at the airports, during layovers and other legs of their trip.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines said via a statement on its website that passengers flying to the US from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport could carry "all electronic devices on board". Bilal Eksi, the airline's chief executive, said on Twitter the carrier expects a ban on carrying electronic devices in cabins on flights from Turkey to Britain to be lifted soon too.

The UK also introduced a similar ban, although it applied to different countries.

As it stands, the ban still affects international airports in Jordan's capital Amman, Kuwait City, Cairo and Casablanca in Egypt and Morocco respectively. The Saudi airports of Jeddah and Riyadh are also affected, as is Doha in Qatar.