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18 Jul 2017 | 08:43 AM UTC

United States: Electronics carry-on ban lifted for Egypt, Morocco /update 7

Electronic carry-on ban to be lifted for direct flights to US from Egypt and Morocco July 12-13

Warning

Event

EgyptAir and Royal Air Maroc announced that the ban on laptops and other electronics in cabins on direct flights to the United States will be lifted on Wednesday, July 12, and Thursday, July 13, respectively. 

These airlines join Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Royal Jordanian, and Kuwait Airways, who announced the lifting of the ban for their flights over the past week, following the implementation of increased security measures. Saudi Arabian Airlines has announced it hopes to be off the ban list on or before July 19.

Context

In March 2017, a measure went into effect that prevented passengers flying directly to the United States from ten Middle Eastern and North African airports from transporting any electronic devices larger than a "normal sized" smartphone (16 cm x 9.3 cm x 1.5 cm / 6.3 in x 3.5 in x 0.6 in) in carry-on luggage. Laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, DVD players, and video games must be transported in checked luggage if flying to the US from these airports.

As a reminder, the restrictions were initially implemented at the following ten airports:

  • Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, Jordan
  • Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Egypt
  • Atatürk International Airport (IST) in Istanbul, Turkey
  • King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
  • Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca, Morocco
  • Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar
  • Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates
  • Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) in the United Arab Emirates

Advice

Travelers are advised to contact their airline for more information.