New restrictions on passengers carrying electronics on US flights will be introduced on Saturday and last for seven months, an Emirates spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
Airline passengers from the UAE are among those from eight countries banned from carrying large electronic devices such as laptops or cameras on board flights to the US.
The Trump administration confirmed on Tuesday it was imposing restrictions on electronic devices from airport in mainly in the Middle East and North Africa, in response to unspecified terror threats.
The Department of Homeland Security will require passengers from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and airports in Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco and Qatar to check-in electronic devices larger than a mobile phone, such as tablets, portable DVD players, laptops and cameras.
Officials said the decision had nothing to do with President Donald Trump’s efforts to impose a travel ban of six majority-Muslim nations.
"The directive comes into effect on 25 March 2017 and is valid until 14 October 2017," the Emirates spokeswoman said in a statement.
"It is applicable to all US-bound passengers from Dubai International Airport, whether originating or transiting through."
Emirates is the largest Middle East carrier operating to the US with daily flights to 12 destinations. Etihad flies daily to six US cities.
A Homeland Security spokeswoman said the government "did not target specific nations. We relied upon evaluated intelligence to determine which airports were affected".
On March 6, Trump signed a revised executive order banning citizens from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from traveling to the United States for 90 days. Two federal judges have halted parts of the ban, saying it discriminates against Muslims. Trump has vowed to appeal up to the Supreme Court if necessary.
All 10 airports annouced in Tuesday’s restrictions are in majority-Muslim countries.
The airports are served by nine carriers that fly directly to the United States about 50 times a day and include Emirates and Etihad Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, senior government officials said.
No American carriers were affected by the ban, because none fly directly to the United States from the airports, officials said. But it does apply to US citizens traveling on those flights. It does not apply to crew members on those foreign carriers.
Aviation experts said the ban will hit business travellers and those taking long-haul flights most.
"Nobody will be willing to part from their laptop or tablet on a long haul flight, especially if you’ve got sensitive data", said Mark Martin, an aviation consultant in Dubai.
"But if you want to go the US you have to comply with the laws."
Earlier on Tuesday, a tweet from Saudi Airlines and one — subsequently deleted — by Royal Jordanian airlines informed their customers of an imminent cabin ban on electronic devices larger than a mobile phone.
Royal Jordanian said all such devices — including laptops, tablets, cameras, DVD players and electronic games — would need to be checked in under new US government rules coming into force March 21.
In a statement, the US Department of Homeland Security said: "We have no comment on potential security precautions, but will provide an update when appropriate."
The move would mark the latest attempt by President Donald Trump’s administration to tighten security at US borders, after its bid to curb travel from a group of Muslim majority nations was twice blocked by the courts.
Officials did not explain why the restrictions only apply to travellers arriving in the United States and not for those same flights when they leave the United States.
Depatment of Homeland Security will also allow passengers to use larger,approved medical devices. The agency said the procedures would "remain in place until the threat changes" and did not rule out expanding to other airports if circumstances changed.
The DHS said in a statement it "seeks to balance risk with impacts to the traveling public and has determined that cell phones and smart phones will be allowed in accessible property at this time".
The new restrictions were prompted by reports that terror groups want to smuggle explosive devices in consumer electronic devices, officials told reporters on a conference call Monday.
The government said in a statement it is "concerned about terrorists’ ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years."
The group said "intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items."
The government has been worried about terror groups attempting to bomb a commercial aircraft.
Reuters reported Monday that the move had been under consideration since the US government learned of a threat "several weeks ago".

Source: The National