Etihad Airways has announced that US-bound passengers can now carry their electronic devices on-board flights from Abu Dhabi.

The news followed the lift of the ban on electronic devices by US Department of Homeland Security for flights to America from Abu Dhabi.

“We welcome the decision by the US Department of Homeland Security to lift the electronic devices ban on flights between Abu Dhabi and the United States, following the successful validation of security measures at the US Pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi airport on July 2, 2017. Effective immediately, the removal of the restrictions allows passengers flying to the US to carry all laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices onto the aircraft, subject to enhanced security measures,” says a statement by the airline.

On March 25, the US had banned electronic devices larges than mobile phones from ten airports in the Gulf, North Africa and Turkey following security threats. 

Airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines had prohibited passengers from carrying their electronic devices in their hand-baggage.

Etihad Airways operates 45 flights each week between Abu Dhabi and the United States. The US Pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi allows passengers to complete immigration here, allowing them to leave US airports without the hassle of long queues.

Business Traveller understands that the ban currently remains in place at the other nine airports on the list. A spokesperson for Dubai Airports said:

“Dubai Airports confirms that there have been no changes as yet to the restrictions placed on the carriage of personal electronic devices larger than a smartphone onboard aircraft by the Transport Security Administration for flights operating to the US.”

“We have offered our full cooperation to work with regulatory officials, control authorities and Emirates airline to satisfy the US directive as quickly as possible but there are no timelines to announce at this point.”

etihadairways.com