Etihad says laptop ban on Abu Dhabi-US flights lifted

Bloomberg / Emirates Business

The US Department of Homeland Security lifted its ban on electronic devices in the cabins of commercial jetliners flying to the US from Abu Dhabi after validating security measures at a new facility inside Abu Dhabi International Airport, according to a statement from Etihad Aviation Group.
“The removal of the restrictions allows passengers flying to the U.S. to carry all laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices onto the aircraft, subject to enhanced security measures,” the airline said in a statement on Sunday.
US officials are pushing overseas airports to beef up security on laptops and similar items after intelligence reports warned that terrorist groups may be capable of hiding bombs in such machines.
Eithad Airways passengers travelling to the U.S. now pass through immigration and customs at a preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 3, the company said. It’s the first facility of its kind in the Middle East.

etihad welcomes USDHS move
In a statement to press, Etihad welcomed the decision by the US Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) to lift the electronic devices ban on flights between Abu Dhabi and the United States, following the successful validation of security measures at the US Preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi airport.
“Effective immediately, the removal of the restrictions allows passengers flying to the US to carry all laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices onto the aircraft, subject to enhanced security measures. We would like to thank our guests for their understanding and loyalty while the ban was in place,” said an official from Etihad.
“Affecting 180 airlines and 280 airports, it is anticipated that Etihad Airways is one of the first airlines to be able to satisfy the short-term measures required by the Transportation Security Administration due to the superior security advantages provided by the preclearance facility,” the official added.
Etihad Airways currently operates 45 flights a week between Abu Dhabi and six cities across the United States – including double daily to New York, daily to Washington, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, and three-times-per-week to San Francisco.
The US is one of Etihad Airways’ largest markets, with 203,515 passengers flying to the US from Abu Dhabi between January 1 and April 30. This was up by 13,157 passengers for the same period in 2016.