The United States lifted Wednesday a ban on carrying large electronic devices such as laptops in the cabin of US-bound flights from Turkey's main international airport, Turkish Airlines and local media reported.
"Dear Passengers, #WelcomeOnBoard to our US-bound flight. Please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy your own electronic devices," Turkish Airlines, the country's flag carrier, said on Twitter late Tuesday.
The ban's lifting comes after Turkey began using sophisticated tomography imaging devices for X-ray and ultrasound screening at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport.
Ataturk is the only airport in Turkey with direct flights to the United States.
The first Turkish Airlines flight affected by the ban's removal was its 6.45am (0345 GMT) flight for New York's John F Kennedy International Airport, the Dogan news agency reported.
In March, Washington banned all electronic devices larger than a mobile phone on direct flights to the US from 10 airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, allowing them to be transported only in checked luggage.
The ban was imposed after intelligence officials learned of efforts by the Islamic State group to produce a bomb that could be hidden inside electronic devices.
Britain also introduced a ban on laptops, on direct flights originating from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey.
US and British officials inspected Ataturk airport Tuesday, Dogan reported, adding that Turkey expected Britain to lift its ban on Thursday.
But in a Twitter post, Turkish Airlines chief executive Bilal Eksi said only that he expected Britain to lift the ban "shortly", without giving further details.
The first airline to benefit from a removal of the ban was Etihad Airways of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Source: AFP
GMT 10:12 2018 Friday ,19 January
Emirates announces $16 bn dealGMT 12:39 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Philippine volcano 'fireworks' drawGMT 12:35 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
Tripoli flights still suspended after fightingGMT 12:13 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Spain expected to replace USGMT 11:42 2018 Monday ,15 January
Turkish passenger plane skids offGMT 11:40 2018 Sunday ,14 January
Air France-KLM denies biddingGMT 09:28 2018 Friday ,12 January
India allows 49% foreign investmentGMT 12:47 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Heavy snowfall strands 13,000 touristsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor