U.S. to Ban Laptops and Tablets in Cabins of Some Flights From Mideast

Some airlines in the Middle East said they are moving to comply with orders barring passengers from bringing large electronic devices in carry-on luggage on U.S.-bound flights.

The national carriers of Saudi Arabia and Jordan said they are banning items such as laptops and tablets inside the cabin. Royal Jordanian said on Twitter it has received the instructions from “the concerned U.S. departments.” Saudi Arabian Airlines said the changes will start on Wednesday.

The ban, on devices larger than a mobile phone, affects nonstop flights to the U.S. from 10 international airports in cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait City, Istanbul and Cairo, the Associated Press reported, citing a U.S. official it didn’t identify. The indefinite ban would impact nine Middle Eastern airlines, a second official told the AP.

The ban would exclude mobile phones and medical devices, Royal Jordanian said. Cameras, DVD players and electronics games along with tablets and laptops must be carried in checked baggage only starting March 21, the airline said.

Dubai-based Emirates, the world’s biggest long-haul carrier, said it hasn’t received “any notification of changes to cabin luggage restrictions on U.S. flights.”

“Emirates will comply with any new operational or regulatory requirements issued by the relevant authorities,” the Dubai-based airline said in an emailed response to questions.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways said its policies haven’t changed but “if the guidance is revised, we will ensure our passengers are updated,” according to an emailed statement Tuesday.

Bloomberg