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Middle East laptop ban on flights to US, UK takes off

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DUBAI: A controversial ban on carry-on laptops and tablets on flights from the Middle East to the United States and Britain went into effect on Saturday — with less fanfare and frustration than expected. From Dubai to Doha, passengers on dozens of flights checked in their electronic devices, many shrugging off the measure as yet another inconvenience of global travel.  “It’s a rule. I follow the rules,” said Rakan Mohammed, a Qatari national who flies from Doha to the US two to three times a year. At Dubai International, one of the world’s busiest hubs, flag carrier Emirates dispatched staff to guide passengers through one of the most intense travel weekends of the year.


Government-owned Emirates, which operates 18 direct flights to the US daily, also began a service to enable passengers to use their electronic devices after check-in and until boarding.


Samuel Porter, who was travelling out of Dubai with his family, nonetheless decided to “avoid delays” at the airport by putting his laptop in the hold.


“The only issue is the kids. I have two kids and the iPad is always in their hands. Maybe they will watch a documentary and learn something useful this time”, he said.


The United States this week announced a ban on all electronics larger than a standard smartphone on board direct flights out of eight countries across the Middle East.


US officials would not specify how long the ban will last, but Emirates said that it had been instructed to enforce the measures until at least October 14.


The ban covers electronics sold at Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said earlier this week.


Adding to the disruption on Saturday, a number of flights out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports were delayed due to thunderstorms, including an Emirates flight to Houston.


Travellers using 10 airports across the Middle East and North Africa are subject to the ban.


Britain has also announced a parallel electronics ban, effective on Saturday, targeting all flights out of Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Lebanon.


Passengers readying to fly to the UK out of Tunisia on Saturday were sceptical, but compliant.


Turkish airports began enforcing the ban on Saturday, with national carrier Turkish Airlines offering a similar laptop stowage service to Emirates.  — AFP


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