Yes, the electronics ban by US and UK is in action and the affected Middle Eastern and African airlines have all started figuring out different ways to overcome this issue. While the Jet Airways and Etihad Airways combo have just asked their passengers to follow the rules, Emirates first and then Turkish Airlines have taken a step further in offering a electronics or laptop handling service at no additional cost to their customers. This is a brilliant move by both these airlines, kudos to them!
New day, new rule, new service, #electronicsban #Emirates #DubaiAirport pic.twitter.com/gkRo7MobSp
— Imran Qureshi (@mimranqureshi) March 25, 2017
Many passengers who have experienced the laptop handling service have been tweeting out pictures. Here is the laptop or electronics handling service in action.
These photos tweeted by Frida show the Emirates staff in action at the Dubai International Airport (DXB).
#طيران_الإمارات تبدأ تقديم الخدمة المجانية لحفظ اجهزة الكمبيوتر المحمولة#البيان_القارئ_دائماhttps://t.co/Js6XSBKL5h pic.twitter.com/hfGpvzmyOe
— صحيفة البيان (@AlBayanNews) March 25, 2017
Bill Fink, another traveller has tweeted his experience with Turkish Airlines.
Both Emirates and Turkish Airlines officials are bubble-wrapping the laptops at the gate before putting them in individual bags.
#electronicsban is a waste of time and very unjustified. Flight should've taken off by now. pic.twitter.com/CmYdV3JI0C
— Alexander Tran (@atranfoto) March 26, 2017
Yes, flights are getting delayed as a result of this new laptop handling service, but I assume these are just initial troubles which will be ironed out shortly. This is a fitting response to the electronics ban brought into force by the Trump Government, which is rumoured to be backed by American carriers to make the Middle Eastern carriers struggle.
Are you travelling by any of these affected carriers to the US or UK? What has been your experience? Do share your experience in the comments section below.
Featured image credit: Bulent Kavakkoru