Australia is following the U.S and U.K’s lead with increased security checks for flights from certain Middle East airports, but will not be implementing the recently introduced and controversial laptop ban at this point.
Britain and the U.S. recently banned laptops and tablets onboard flights from some countries in the Middle East and North Africa, citing fears of possible terrorist attacks.
The increased security checks will affect passengers flying direct to Australia from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai with Qantas Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.
#Khartoon – @qatarairways offers labtops to define #electronicsban on flights heading to the US pic.twitter.com/5gFEnKg9Pq
— ود البيه (@khalidalbaih) March 31, 2017
“Explosive detection screening will be conducted for randomly selected passengers and their baggage. Checks may also include targeted screening of electronic devices,”
Transport Minister, Darren Chester.
“Our changes are in line with the U.K., which recently announced that people travelling from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be subject to random explosive trace detection screening. In response to national security advice the federal government has made precautionary changes and instructed airlines to implement new protocols from next week.”
The U.S. ban currently affects nine airlines from eight countries; Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with the British ban including Tunisia and Lebanon.
Since the ban came into place, many Middle Easter Carriers have responded with their own creative initiatives to help premium travellers utilise their flying time to undertake business activities in the air on alternative devices.
Trump won’t let you bring a laptop on board, no worries Qatar Airways will lend you one https://t.co/RX3xr3UpWs pic.twitter.com/2xTmAzOl2p
— KarryOn (@karryontravel) April 1, 2017
Read Emirates Inflight entertainment solution here
Read Qatar Airways initiative of loaning travellers laptops here
Read Etihad Airways loaning of tablets and free inflight Wifi here
Read all about Royal Jordanian’s clever marketing ploys here