Several airports in the Middle East have implemented the recently-ordered laptop ban on flights to the USA and the UK. A new order requires electronic devices larger than a smartphone to be checked in and stored in the aircraft's hold. The US ban has affected airlines from eight Middle Eastern countries, while similar UK restrictions apply to six countries. Officials said the ban was because larger digital devices could contain explosives. They did not say how long the ban would be in place. The Dubai-based Emirates airlines said it had received instructions to keep it until October 14.
There has been mixed reaction to the ban. Airlines were unhappy about having 96 hours to enforce it or lose their license to fly into the USA. Some called it a nightmare. They may pass the cost of the additional layer of security checks onto passengers. Some of the affected countries are questioning why the ban affects only Muslim-majority countries. Passengers seem resigned to it. A passenger from Qatar said: "It's a rule. I follow the rules. The bigger problem for my family is the no smoking." Another passenger was worried about what her children would do without their laptop on a long flight.