Earlier in March, the U.S. banned passengers from boarding aboard a U.S. bound flight with a laptop from eight Muslim-majority countries. The Middle-Eastern airlines on whose flights the ban was in effect included Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Kuwait Airways, Saudia, and Royal Air Maroc.
Out of these, four of the airlines were exempted from the laptop ban last week. These included Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines. This week the United States has cleared two more carriers, including Kuwait Airways and Royal Jordanian, from the ban.
Saudi Arabia's Saudia, Royal Air Moroc of Morocco, and EgyptAir still have the laptop ban in effect for all U.S. bound flights.
Laptop ban lifted
Royal Jordanian operates flights from the Jordanian capital city of Amman to three U.S. cities and was able to lift the laptop band after new security measures were put in place to ensure that all of the electronic devices are checked properly and thoroughly, so that explosive materials of any sort cannot make their way into the flight.
Kuwait Airways’ ban was lifted after the carrier, which operates flights from Kuwait to New York via Ireland, had their security measures tested personally by United States officials. These officials deemed the measures satisfactory and, hence, lifted the ban placed on carrying laptops aboard their flights.
Other airlines whose flights the ban affects
In June, the Department of Homeland Security claimed that 105 countries in the world would need to install specialized security measures and equipment, along with additional time to screen each passenger before clearing that person aboard a U.S. bound flight. Airlines that were already facing the electronics ban hoped that following the orders of the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security would help in lifting the ban.
As of now, three nations' airways are still under the electronics ban, including Morocco, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Saudia has assured its passengers that they would be able to carry personal electronic devices aboard the flight from July 19. However, it is uncertain how Saudia officials can state this so certainly.
Perhaps the changes are already underway and will be completed prior to the said date.
Royal Air Moroc also feels that it will be able to have the ban lifted by July 19, same as Saudia. After the ban is removed all passengers of U.S. bound flights will be able to carry laptops and other electronics. No word on EgyptAir’s status in the ban and when it would be able to finally lift it for all U.S. bound flights.
