Overnight Electronics Ban Enforced in U.S., U.K.
Joe Cortez March 21, 2017
Flights bound for Middle East and North African destinations targeted for checked electronics policy.
Flyers heading to the United States and United Kingdom from multiple airports across several nations in North Africa and the Middle East will be forced to check their computer equipment, leaving only cell phones in their possession. The Associated Press reports that the new policy, rumored to begin on March 21, has now taken full effect in both countries.
Rumors of the program began late Tuesday night after Royal Jordanian Airlines tweeted an announcement that electronic devices would be prohibited on direct flights to the United States. Although the tweet was later deleted, the news sparked rumors of another step in a series of travel sanctions against targeted countries.
Under the confirmed plan published by the Department of Homeland Security, the rules will prohibit passengers from carrying on items larger than a cell phone on flights to the United States from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates from 10 airports that fly direct to the United States. The British policy will only apply to six countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey. Airlines flying to America will have until 3 a.m. Saturday, March 25, to comply with the orders, or face prohibition from landing in the United States.
“Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks,” the fact sheet from Homeland Security reads. “To include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.”
Several carriers, including EgyptAir, Emirates and Royal Jordanian, have confirmed that they will comply with the order. In response to the plan, Emirates sent a tweet from their previous advertising campaign featuring Jennifer Aniston, with the simple message: “Let us entertain you.”
Let us entertain you. pic.twitter.com/FKqayqUdQ7
— Emirates airline (@emirates) March 21, 2017
[Photo: Shutterstock]
Sorry. Speaking of the airlines' plan to collect devices at the gate, right before boarding. for stowage.
How will this work with dozens of Li-Ion battery laptops inadvertently left turned on, stacked flat on top of one another? Or even two together, with dozens turned off, stacked one on another? Or just one turned on with dozens turned off, stacked above and beneath?
I flew from Cairo to London yesterday (23 March) and the ban was in full force. It includes other electronic devises like cameras. As a photographer this is problematic. I had to put £5k of cameras in my hold luggage, plus a laptop...and hope it all arrived safely at the other end. Thankfully it did.