Egypt: US electronic carry-on ban to be lifted for EgyptAir

Event

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

These airlines join Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Royal Jordanian, and Kuwait Airways, who announced that the ban had been lifted 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, American authorities announced new limitations preventing 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 were required to be transported in checked luggage if flying to the US from those points of departure.

As of July 12, only the following two airports remain affected by the electronics ban:

•    King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
•    King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Advice

Travelers are advised to contact their airline for more information.