Laptop ban lifted for Abu Dhabi airline
The United States on Sunday lifted a ban on laptops in cabins on flights from
Abu Dhabi to the United States, saying the United Arab Emirates' Etihad Airways
had put in place required tighter security measures.
According to Reuters, Etihad welcomed the decision and credited a facility at Abu Dhabi
International Airport where passengers clear U.S. immigration before they land
in the United States for "superior security advantages" that had allowed it to
satisfy U.S. requirements.
TSA officials visually verified that the measures had been implemented
correctly, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Etihad is the only airline that operates direct flights from Abu Dhabi to the
United States.
In March, the United States banned laptops in cabins on flights to the United
States originating at 10 airports in eight countries - Egypt, Morocco, Jordan,
the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey - to address
fears that bombs could be concealed in electronic devices taken aboard
aircraft.
Britain quickly followed suit with a similar set of restrictions.
Last week, the United States unveiled security measures for flights to the
country designed to prevent the expansion of the ban to more countries that
could cause major logistical problems and deter travel.
DHS spokesman David Lapan said in a statement provided to Reuters that
Ethiad's efforts to implement extra security measures were a model for foreign
and domestic airlines.
Other airports and airlines in the region, such as Emirates Airlines and
Qatar Airlines, remain under the restrictions, he said.
"We look forward to working with other airlines to ensure implementation of
these critical measures as quickly as possible," said Lapan.
Etihad operates 45 flights a week between Abu Dhabi and the United States,
the company said.
Dubai-based Emirates, the largest international airline by passenger traffic
and a rival to Etihad, said in April it was cutting flights on five U.S. routes
because of reduced demand, after a travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump
and the laptop ban.
Laptop ban lifted for Abu Dhabi airline
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