US ends controversial laptop ban on Middle East carriers
US ends controversial laptop ban on Middle East carriers
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The United States has ended a four month ban on passengers carrying laptops onboard U.S. bound flights from certain airports in the Middle East and North Africa, bringing to an end one of the controversial travel restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump's administration.

The ban was imposed in March on passengers carrying laptops and other large electronic gear in cabins on flights from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to unspecified security threats.

Middle East carriers have blamed Trump?s travel restrictions, which include banning citizens of some Muslim-majority countries from visiting the United States, for a downturn in demand on US routes.

The ban has been lifted on the nine airlines affected -- Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Kuwait Airways, EgyptAir and Royal Air Maroc -- which are the only carriers to fly direct to the United States from the region.

"The aviation industry has been trying to come together with a united message to governments and stakeholders about regulation and supporting the industry," said Will Horton, senior analyst at Australian aviation consultancy CAPA.

Airlines and airports were warned that their US services would be cut off if they did not immediately begin toughening their pre-boarding inspections.


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