Qatar Airways secures US laptop-ban exemption

PASSENGERS can now carry personal electronic devices on board Qatar Airways flights departing from Doha's Hamad International Airport for the US, it said in a release on Thursday.

Qatar Airways was the last major carrier affected by measures barring laptops from the cabins of aircraft leaving for the US, a moratorium that was imposed in March by American authorities.

Emirates and Turkish Airlines, both also affected by the ban, said on Wednesday that measures have been lifted for flights departing from their Dubai and Istanbul bases respectively. Etihad Airways' Abu Dhabi hub secured exemption last Sunday.

The lifting of the ban brings relief to these Gulf carriers. Customers wanting to use these devices onboard had switched carriers when the ban was in place.

"Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport have met with all requirements of the US Department of Homeland Security's new security guidelines, and we would like to express our thanks to the US and local authorities for their support during this process," said the Doha-based carrier.

Other airports and carriers are still affected by the US ban, including those in Cairo, Kuwait and Morocco.

Qatar Airways is currently under siege from travel and airspace bans opposed by neighbouring Arab states over its government owner's links to Iran, reported Bloomberg.