US Laptop Ban Hits Dubai Airport for 1.1m Weekend Travellers

US Laptop Ban Hits Dubai Airport for 1.1m Weekend Travellers. After US announced ban on all electronics bigger than a standard smartphone, Dubai International Airport and its flag carrier Emirates started implementing ban on laptops and tablets on direct flights to the US on Saturday. They started this on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

Dubai Airports’ senior vice president for communications Anita Mehra said that,

“1.1 million people are expected to pass through the busiest international airport. As the city marks UAE spring break”

US Laptop Ban Hits Dubai Airport for 1.1m Weekend Travellers

Around 260,000 travellers were anticipated to pass through every day. Dubai International Airport expects 89 million people this year. Though US officials haven’t specified how long the ban will be.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths told local radio earlier this week that,

“The ban also covers all electronics sold at Dubai Duty Free.”

Government-owned Emirates controls 18 flights daily to the United States out of Dubai. In order to ease its travelers, the airline said it would be providing complimentary packing and shipping services at gates. This will allow passengers to use their gadgets after check-in and until boarding.

Also Read: US Bans Electronic Devices on Flights from Eight Muslim-majority Countries

The US ban influences nine airlines from eight countries namely: Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

After the ban by the US, Britain has also announced a parallel ban. The ban is effective from Saturday. And will target all flights out of Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Lebanon.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland security also said,

“We have reason to be concerned about attempts by terrorist groups to circumvent aviation security and terrorist groups continue to target aviation interests. Implementing additional security measures enhances our ability to mitigate further attempts against the overseas aviation industry.”

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