Airline chief voices concerns over laptop ban
03 April 2017 08:20
A decision to ban laptops on certain flights has faced criticism
A decision to ban laptops and tablet devices on flights heading to the UK from certain countries has been questioned.
It was announced earlier this month that both Britain and the US will ban these gadgets from cabin baggage on particular inbound flights. Services to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia will be impacted.
The move is designed to prevent potential terror incidents in the sky.
However, the ban has drawn criticism from some quarters and may impact the likes of holidaymakers heading home after a foreign trip.
'Not a long-term solution'
Alexandre de Juniac, director-general of airline trade body Iata, has now entered the debate, suggesting that the new rules are "not an acceptable long-term solution to whatever threat they are trying to mitigate".
Speaking to an audience at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations in Canada, the expert stated: "Even in the short term it is difficult to understand their effectiveness. And the commercial distortions they create are severe.
"We call on governments to work with the industry to find a way to keep flying secure without separating passengers from their personal electronics."
Travel insurance benefits
Wherever people fly to and from on holiday, travel insurance should be high on their priority lists.
It can cover things like flight cancellations and medical expenses, not to mention lost luggage .
Many airlines affected
At the time the new device ban was introduced, British Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said it was designed to address an "evolving security threat".
But Mr de Juniac concluded: " The current situation is not acceptable and will not maintain the all-important confidence of the industry or of travellers. We must find a better way. And governments must act quickly."
British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson are among the UK airlines now affected by the ban on electronic devices.