The latest airline-centric move by the Trump administration declared a ban on carrying on electronic devices which are larger than a cellphone into the cabin luggage of some of the airplanes. Travel experts have expressed their concern over this latest move.
The US is prohibiting items such as laptops, tablets, cameras, children’s video games and more from nine Middle Eastern and African-based airlines. this rule is also applicable for 10 airports that fly to the United States. The new rule says that such items must be placed in checked luggage.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in one of their statement that electronics ban was a clumsy effort. This parallels the original travel ban against seven primarily Muslim nations that was thrust upon airlines and airports with little advance notice in January.
“Safety and security is the top priority of everyone involved in aviation,” it said. “Airlines comply with government requirements and they can do this most effectively when measures are well coordinated.”
The Global Business Travel Association expressed concern that the ban will be a nightmare for businesses. “Not allowing (business travelers) to bring their devices on the plane cuts productivity, taking away time that they can be getting business done. Many business travelers also prefer to keep their devices close for security purposes because they may contain sensitive company information.”
Turkish transport minister Ahmet Arslan said his government will officially ask the US to overturn the ban. He said, “we particularly emphasize that they should not mix Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport with other airports in other countries. We say that either it should be reversed or eased.”
According to some travel experts, it might possibly be a message as US purposely included the Middle East’s big three Gulf airlines on its list—Emirates, Etihad and Qatar – over the Open Skies debate. These three airlines are major competitor over three US-based American, Delta and United airlines.
