Since January, there has been a hullabaloo regarding the amendments in travel laws. It started with U.S. President Trump’s executive order which bans visas to travel from six Muslim populated countries. Trump says that these temporary bans are for national security.

Whereas one U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang pointed out that the purpose behind Trump’s orders is just a step towards the “long envisioned Muslim ban.” What happens in the future is still unclear but another travel ban by U.S. administration entitled “Limitation of devices on flights” has definitely attracted mixed responses from nations.

AIRPORTS UNDER THE BAN

For passengers traveling on foreign airlines to the U.S. from these ten airports are not to bring devices larger than their cell phones in their carry on. The ten airports are from 8 Muslim-majority countries:

Abu Dhabi International Airport, United Arab Emirates

Kuwait International Airport

King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Arabia

King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed V International Airport, Morocco

Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar

Dubai International Airport

Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan

Cairo International Airport, Egypt

Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkey

FACTS ABOUT THE RULES

Only foreign airlines flying from these airports are subject to device limitation.

The rules apply to direct flights from the airports mentioned above only.

The device limitation is temporary.

Iraq is exempt from the new travel ban.

Restricted items include: Laptop, Tablets, Cameras, travel printers and all items that are larger than a smartphone.

The new policy came into effect at 3 AM E.D.T on the 21st of March.

Within 96 hours all the airlines must follow the device limitation rules.

Carriers that fail to do so risk losing their authorization.

Larger devices are allowed in “Checked baggage” rather than your carry on.

The ban is not indefinite but runs until October and can extend up to one year.

REASON BEHIND LIMITATIONS

T.S.A officials have not yet spoken openly about the reason behind the new rules. But the T.S.A. Federal security is on high alert because terrorist groups are targeting certain commercial aircraft. 

Another reason behind the restrictions maybe, the new knowledge that terrorists have developed hard to detect bombs inside electronic devices. The suspected Bombmaker Ibrahim Hassan Al-Assiri of Al Qaeda’s Yemen branch is in close contact with terrorists in Syria in developing hard to detect explosives.

The government is concerned about the growing interest of terrorists in commercial aviation. Hence the increased security measures. Better safe than sorry. Terrorists used shoes (2001), a soda can (2015), Liquid (2006), and underwear (2009, 2012) for hiding explosives, so there is no doubt they will continue to develop smarter and harder-to-detect technology. 

RIPPLE EFFECT

As result of the U.Ss acting out, the U.K. has also applied the device limitation to airports in 6 countries. Under the rule, no device larger than 16 cm in length, 9.3 cm in width and 1.5 cm in breadth goes inside a carry-on. Any such devices will go through central security. The first few days are sure to make passengers confused and angry, but everything gets back to normal once you get used to it. Just like what happened in the case of liquid explosives, when the whole nation was in chaos.

HOW TO CARRY YOUR DEVICES

Don’t panic if you travel from any of the airports selected in the Middle East. Your camera and device are safe with you inside your checked baggage. For some while, you need to part with your favorite devices – Laptop, Camera (thank God you can keep your smartphone!) 

After you land your devices are all yours again. The Royal Jordanian state-run airline said that you could carry larger electronic items, but you have to check them with your baggage. It is also mentioned that medical items are exempt from the ban.

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March 22, 2017 3:14 am Published by Staff Writer 1 Comment