DHS Sees Protest Against Electronics Ban
Jackie Reddy March 24, 2017
The prohibition on bigger electronic items in the cabin came as a shock to certain carriers and facilities, leaving some to query their inclusion in the new regulations.
The ban on larger electronic items in the cabins of US and UK-bound flights originating from certain Middle Eastern and African airports appears to have caught many regional carriers off-guard. It seems that some of these airlines, USA Today reports, are now actively protesting the measure.
Emirates, the Middle East’s largest carrier, has been particularly vocal. President Tim Clark told the Associated Press, as quoted by the Centre Daily Times, that his airline “had no prior knowledge whatsoever” of the ban and was now moving to ensure that it complies with the new regulations issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by the March 25th deadline.
Emirates operates out of Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is one of the facilities mentioned in the ban by the DHS. In terms of its operations, DXB, writes USA Today‘s Ben Mutzabaugh “is regarded as one of the most sophisticated [airports] in the world.”
Other regional airports with equally stringent security operations were also included in the ban, including those at Abu Dhabi and Doha.
Turkish authorities have also queried the ban, as have representatives from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the U.S. Travel Association (USTA). Only a few weeks ago, Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of the former body, spoke out against a “future of more restricted borders and protectionism.”
However, Jonathan Grella, USTA’s executive vice president for public affairs was blunt in his assessment of the ban. He urged, “…the federal government to make every effort to minimize disruption to legitimate travelers by clearly and quickly articulating the details of the new policy to enforcement personnel and the flying public. Even with security as a justification, it does not absolve authorities of the responsibility to communicate.”
[Photo: Shutterstock]
