US lifts electronics ban on Emirates flights

Dubai-based airlines, Emirates issued a statement on Wednesday morning that the electronics ban on their flights has been lifted with immediate effect.
Passengers on flights from Dubai International Airport to the United States can carry their laptop, tablets, and other electronic devices onto the aircraft.
In a statement, Emirates spokesperson said, "Effective immediately, the electronics ban has been lifted for Emirates' flights from Dubai International Airport to the US. Emirates has been working hard in coordination with various aviation stakeholders and the local authorities to implement heightened security measures and protocols that meet the requirements of the US Department of Homeland Security's new security guidelines for all US bound flights. We would like to express our gratitude to the US and local authorities for their support and thank our customers for their understanding and patience during the last few months when the ban was in place" 
Earlier this week, Etihad flights got the restrictions lifted for their passengers flying to the United States.
Emirates Airline has announced that the ban on carry-on electronics has been lifted on US-bound flights from Dubai following the implementation of new security measures that meet US government requirements. 
"Effective immediately, the electronics ban has been lifted for Emirates' flights from Dubai International Airport to the USA," the airline said in a statement. "Emirates has been working hard in coordination with various aviation stakeholders and the local authorities to implement heightened security measures and protocols that meet the requirements of the US Department of Homeland Security's new security guidelines for all US bound flights."
"We would like to express our gratitude to the US and local authorities for their support and thank our customers for their understanding and patience during the last few months when the ban was in place," the airline added.
Emirate's announcement comes three days after Abu Dhabi's Etihad announced that the restrictions would be lifted on its flights between Abu Dhabi and the United States, following the successful validation of security measures at the US Preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi airport. The facility allows US-bound passengers to clear US Immigration and Customs before they board and arrive in the US as domestic passengers.
Saj Ahmad, an analyst with the London-based StrategicAero Research, said that the laptop ban "will allow Emirates to not only claw back lucrative high fare paying passengers on US-bound flights, but it will also decrease the risk and costs of packaging up devices to store in the cargo hold."
"Added passengers traffic will push a sharp rebound in load factors and I can see Emirates reinstating services to cities like Boston and Seattle, for example - cities that had frequencies reduced in the wake of demand falling due to the travel ban and electronic device ban," he added.
Ahmad also noted that the UAE has "led the way in aviation compliance."
"Etihad getting the ban lifted a few days ago meant that Emirates would not be that far behind in getting approval too," he noted. "Travellers will welcome this news and of course it means they won't have to worry about their prized possessions being damaged in luggage that is often flung around carelessly by ramp agents."
Passengers Rejoice
The lifting of the carry-on electronics ban has been widely praised by Emirates passengers - particularly Americans - who fly to the US.
"I think the lifting of the ban will have major effects on the future of travel between Dubai, the US, and the remainder of the Middle East," American expat Mike Singer said. "I just hope in the future these things can be avoided and President Trump and his administration can work together with the rest of the world on issues like this."
Another Dubai-based American, Viviana Villasmil, said that, while she is pleased at the ban being lifted, she believes that electronics ban was never really about safety.
"I suppose I am quite happy. To me, it always seemed like the ban was an attempt on behalf of the US government to stifle increasing competition from Gulf airlines, which are light years ahead of those back home," she said.
"Let's see what else these guys have up their sleeve," she added. "This won't be their last attempt at trying to encourage US-bound passengers to fly American carriers."
For Egyptian expat Mohammed Anis - a filmmaker who says the electronics ban negatively impacted his work while flying to the US - the lifting of restrictions on his camera and laptop carry particular importance.
"I'm relieved I can carry (these items) with me again on a flight to the US," he said. "It's the only way I can make memories with my dad, a cancer patient who resides in the US, without (the items), I won't be able to take pics or record my moments with him."
No more laptop ban on Etihad flights to the US
bernd@khaleejtimes.com