As Dubai-based Emirates and Turkey's Turkish claimed their in-cabin ban on personal electronic devices (PEDs) on direct flights to the USA had been lifted, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) said it expects the ban on laptops and other large devices to stay in place till close to July 19. Saudia flies to the United States from airports in Jeddah and Riyadh.

The airline is working with the country's civil aviation authority, GACA, to meet new security measures required for US-bound flights announced by the US Department of Homeland Security late June. As we have already reported, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad was okayed to resume full services early July.

 

In March, the United States banned laptops in cabins on flights to the United States originating at 10 airports in eight countries -- Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey -- to address fears that bombs could be concealed in electronic devices taken aboard aircraft.

 

The UK applied a ban of its own, covering different countries. The UK government on July 5 said its ban remains in place despite the easing of restrictions by US authorities.