By Iminza Keboge
Published March 31, 2017.
The UK and USA have imposed an electronics ban on flights from eight major Middle Eastern and African airports.
Airlines flying directly from Cairo, Egypt; Dubai and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; Istanbul; Doha, Qatar; Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City; Casablanca, Morocco; and Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will now be required to prevent passengers from carrying almost all electronic devices in the cabin, according to new security restrictions.
Passengers will have to check in any electronic device that is bigger than a smartphone which includes iPads, Kindles and laptops before clearance from security or boarding.
RELATED:Youth-Made Videos on Diversity and Social Inclusion Wanted
Only mobile phones smaller than 16cm long x 9.3cm wide x 1.5cm deep dimensions will be allowed in the cabin.
The nine airlines affected by the ban are Egyptair, Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
Mobile phones and medical devices are permitted but larger items including laptops, tablets, cameras and e-readers will need to be placed into baggage that is checked in. This must be done at the start of your journey. The ban does not affect flights leaving from the US towards Abu Dhabi and beyond, says Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
These new rules came into effect for flights to the USA via Abu Dhabi, starting March 25, 2017.
“Any guests travelling to the UK via Abu Dhabi are not affected by the directive from the UK authorities,” Etihad says, offering more entertainment on board.
RELATED:US-Bound Airlines Ban Electronic Devices Over Security Concerns
“All our US flights have power and USB points at every seat, mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity, hundreds of hours of inflight entertainment including the latest movies, TV series, boxsets, music, interactive games, seven channels of live sports and news and a wide selection of children’s programming. All children receive a kid’s pack with games and toys, and our Flying Nanny is on board to help parents.”