US laptop ban lifted off Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways said today passengers travelling to the United States can now carry their laptops and other large electronics on board, ending a three month in-cabin ban on devices for the Doha-based airline.

Qatar Airways joins Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Etihad Airways, which have also announced this week a lifting of the ban on their US flights.

In March, the United States imposed the ban on direct flights 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.

Read: US unveils enhanced airline security plan to avoid laptop ban

Qatar Airways said in a statement today the ban had been lifted after the airline and its hub airport Hamad International met with new US security requirements.

The United States announced on 29 June enhanced security measures for flights to the country which require additional time to screen passengers and personal electronic devices for possible explosives.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker told reporters in Dublin the airline was found to be in compliance with the “new draconian requirements” after an audit over the previous two days.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said on Twitter today the restrictions on Qatar Airways and Hamad International had been lifted.

1: Qatar Airways & Hamad In’t in Doha have implemented the required initial enhanced security measures.

— TSA (@TSA) July 6, 2017

Airlines affected by the ban have complained that demand on US flights had been weakened by restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.