Laptops-on-flights ban in effect from Turkey, Middle East, North Africa countries

Kuwaiti activist Thamer Bourashed stows his laptop in hold baggage before boarding

A ban on laptops and tablets in cabin baggage on flights from Turkey and some countries in the Middle East and North Africa to the US and UK has come into effect, the BBC reported.

It added that officials say devices “larger than a smartphone” must travel in the hold because of an increased risk that they could contain explosives.

At least one airline is allowing devices to be used up until boarding.
The US ban covers eight countries, while the UK restrictions apply to six, according to the BBC.

Nine airlines from eight countries – Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait – are affected by the US ban. They operate about 50 flights a day to the US, the BBC indicated.

UAE airline Emirates is offering complimentary packing and shipping services at gates to enable passengers to use their electronic devices after check-in and until boarding, the BBC said.

That also means passengers flying on two-leg trips from other countries to the US through Dubai can use their laptops on the first leg of their flights, the BBC added.

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