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Satyendra Pathak
Doha
The US government's unexpected ban on laptops, iPads and other electronic items 'larger than a cellphone' on flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa from March 25 has evoked mixed reactions from residents and companies in Qatar.
While the move has drawn flak from a number of residents, many said they welcomed the move as the new rule was introduced for the safety of passengers.
Qatar Airways (QA) has issued a statement saying it would take full advantage of the 96-hour notice period and implement the change on Friday.
"Qatar Airways has made special arrangements to assist passengers in securing their devices in the aircraft's baggage hold. Prohibited devices, including laptops, tablets, DVD players and electronic games must be carried in checked luggage only," the airways has said in the statement.
The widespread security ban on electronic devices will take effect on Saturday and impact US-bound passengers originating from airports in Qatar and other countries in the Middle East and Africa.
"Now, the US-bound passengers will have to check in any electronic devices bigger than a smartphone and put them in the luggage. Laptops, iPads and any other electronics items are quite fragile. If the luggage is not handled properly, the chances of such items getting damaged will be very high. It won't be safe to put them in the luggage," a Doha resident, who is a frequent flyer to the US, said.
Another resident also expressed concern about theft of such items if they are kept in the luggage.
Britain has also tightened security on flights from Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, banning laptops and tablet from the plane cabin following a US security warning.
The move has also invited criticism from technology experts, who say the new rules appear to be at odds with basic computer science.
"If there are concerns about laptops on board being used as explosives, same risks could exist in checked baggage," a Doha-based IT expert said.
Senior official of a Doha-based insurance company, however, said if the decision was taken to secure the safety of passengers then he welcomed the move.
The official said,"Although it is too early to comment on the issue, I don't see the move impacting our travel health insurance business."
Echoing the same, an official of a Doha-based travel agency said the move was unlikely to affect the number of passengers travelling to the US.
"Even the passengers will realise that it is for their safety," he said.
An Emirates spokeswoman who confirmed the Dubai-based airline was affected by the restrictions said the new security directive would last until October 14.
The policy does not affect any American carriers because none fly directly to the United States from the airports, officials said.
The agency said the procedures would 'remain in place until the threat changes' and did not rule out expanding them to other airports.
According to reports, the move had been under consideration since the US government learned of a threat several weeks ago.
