New US & UK Laptop/Tablet ban on up to 8 countries

[Strategic Aviation]

US announces enhanced security measures for all inbound flights, flags potential end of electronics ban - Australian Aviation

Qantas, Virgin Australia flights to USA face tighter security - Australian Business Traveller

Laptop Ban is Off the Table, Provided the World Does Everything the Trump Administration Says - View From The Wing

Yay: The Electronics Ban For US-Bound Flights From The Middle East Is Ending - One Mile At A Time

 

[Archphoto]

I was watching "Talking Business" on the BBC last night, and this latest instalment came up.

I wasn't at all surprised to hear that airlines and airports were extremely concerned that Trump and Co., might have been considering a greater ban on gizmos across on all airlines, and in turn, a huge increase on lithium batteries being in the hold - seen as a huge risk. Supposedly there was a collective sigh of relief that it wasn't expanded nor extended, but if airlines are concerned about the dangers, you have to wonder the actual risk factor of lithium batteries in the hold catching fire vs. terrorist bomb in a laptop/mid-size gizmo?

I'm no expert, but I'd think the risk of a hold fire would be higher than a terrorist carrying a suspect laptop, especially if someone forgot to turn their gadgets off and they started to heat up . . . .

 

[Infreq]

So if everything (pretty much) needs to go in the hold/baggage area, does that mean the security for all baggage items gets increased???

 

[Himeno]

I'm no expert, but I'd think the risk of a hold fire would be higher than a terrorist carrying a suspect laptop, especially if someone forgot to turn their gadgets off and they started to heat up . . . .

They could turn it off and it will still catch on fire if the battery is damaged.

 

[defurax]

Looks like the laptop ban has been lifted for EY. I just got this email:

Dear Defurax,

If you are planning to travel to the US in the near future, we wanted to let you know that you can now take all your electronic devices on board our US flights from Abu Dhabi.*

The US Immigration facility at Abu Dhabi Airport not only enables you to clear US immigration before you fly to the US, but with the additional security checks in place, you can now*take all your electronic devices*safely on board with you.*

Book now and fly to over 100 destinations across the US, stress-free.

 

[bwhouse]

Looks like the laptop ban has been lifted for EY. I just got this email:

Dear Defurax,

If you are planning to travel to the US in the near future, we wanted to let you know that you can now take all your electronic devices on board our US flights from Abu Dhabi.*

The US Immigration facility at Abu Dhabi Airport not only enables you to clear US immigration before you fly to the US, but with the additional security checks in place, you can now*take all your electronic devices*safely on board with you.*

Book now and fly to over 100 destinations across the US, stress-free.

I got this today as well. Couldn't be better timing for me as we are off to the US on Etihad in 3 weeks time, no more stressing about laptop and camera in checked baggage.

 

[defurax]

I got this today as well. Couldn't be better timing for me as we are off to the US on Etihad in 3 weeks time, no more stressing about laptop and camera in checked baggage.

Now to wait and see if QR can also get the ban lifted at DOH...I guess the TSA inspectors won't be able to fly directly to DOH from AUH so that might cause a delay!

 

[defurax]

EK and TK are now also laptop friendly:
US laptop ban lifted on Emirates and Turkish Airlines - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40504049

Flying to the US on QR in 12 days...still hoping...

 

[defurax]

https://www.google.com.au/amp/www.a...-removed-laptop-ban-list-170706032230944.html

QR/DOH now off the list too!!!

 

[bwhouse]

https://www.google.com.au/amp/www.a...-removed-laptop-ban-list-170706032230944.html

QR/DOH now off the list too!!!

Woot, perfect timing

 

[Strategic Aviation]

The US Now Wants To Ban Large Electronics From Checked Bags - One Mile at a Time

Now it looks like this electronics frenzy may just come full circle, as the US wants to ban large electronics from checked luggage. Unlike the previous electronics ban, this is something that could actually make sense.

The Associated Press is reporting that the Federal Aviation Administration has recently filed with the International Civil Aviation Organization recommending that large personal electronic devices be banned from checked luggage due to the risk of a catastrophic fire. This includes th risk of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery overheating in close proximity to an aerosol spray can.

New Security Measures For US-Bound Flights From Asia Coming Next Week - One Mile at a Time

Well, it looks like we can soon expect additional security screening on flights from Asia to the US. While I’m not sure how widely applicable this is, The Korea Times reports that airlines are advising US-bound passengers to arrive at Incheon Airport at least 4-5 hours before departure starting October 26, 2017. That’s probably way overdone, but the idea is that something new is being implemented as of then.

So it looks like we’ll now see security interviews when departing Asia, much like we see when departing out of certain European airports. I can appreciate the concept of security interviews on departure, as it’s something that Israel has done incredibly effectively. However, I don’t get the same sense of skill and professionalism when being interviewed on a US-bound flight. That’s not because of the individuals doing it, but because of their lack of training.

For those departing Incheon Airport, apparently this additional questioning won’t initially apply on Asiana and Korean Air, as they’ve requested a deadline extension because they’re relocating terminals.

So while this is only being reported out of Korea as of now, I see no reason Korea would be singled out, and this wouldn’t apply to other gateways in Asia as well. I guess we’ll see next week.