U.S. Limits Electronic Devices on Carriers from Several Middle East Countries

Early this morning, the US Department of Homeland Security put out a memo hitting Middle Eastern Airlines with a ban on passengers’ electronic devices. Beginning on or before Saturday, March 25, passengers flying to the United States from 10 airports will be required to check any personal electronic device larger than a smart phone. The ban does not apply to cell phones or medical devices, but does include laptops, tablets, electronic games and cameras. This ban on electronic carry-on devices is indefinite and all passengers, regardless of status and citizenship, must comply if they are flying from the affected airports and on the affected airlines.

The affected airports are:

• Amman, Jordan (AMM)
• Cairo, Egypt (CAI)
• Istanbul, Turkey (IST)
• Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (JED)
• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (RUH)
• Kuwait City, Kuwait (KWI)
• Casablanca, Morocco (CMN)
• Doha, Qatar (DOH)
• Dubai (DXB)
• Abu Dhabi (AUH)

Since no U.S. airline currently flies nonstop to the United States from these airports, the only carriers affected are the following: Royal Jordanian; Egyptair; Turkish; Saudia; Kuwait Airlines; Royal Air Maroc; Qatar Airways; Emirates; and Etihad. According to a number of media reports, a ‘confidential’ memo was sent by the US Transportation Security Administration to the affected airlines on March 20.

The ban does not cover flights departing from the United States to those destinations on those airlines. It also does not affect connecting flights to/from those airports.

If you or your travelers are flying out of one of the affected airports, travelers should be sure to pack large personal electronic devices in checked bags and contact their air carrier with additional questions.

Please contact an AmTrav representative today if you have any questions or concerns about how this ban may impact you, your travels, or someone you may know.