The current electronics ban is not an acceptable long-term solution, says Iata.

Iata director general and chief executive, Alexandre de Juniac, has criticised the UK and US governments’ decision to enforce an electronic ban at some airports.

“The ban does not have short-term effectiveness on the threats the US and UK are trying to prevent,” De Juniac says.

During a talk at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, De Juniac questioned the security measure implemented by the two governments, asking why the US and UK did not have a common list of airports where electronic devices were banned. Says De Juniac: “How are laptops secure in the cabin on some flights and not others? Why is there no way for electronic equipment to be screened at airport checkpoints?”

Iata is now calling on governments to work with the industry to find a way for all airlines to continue flying safely without separating passengers from their personal electronic devices.

Turkey’s transport minister criticises electronics ban

Meanwhile, the Turkish Transport Minister, Ahmet Arstan, said the ban should be implemented in other countries as well as it was creating unfair competition.

In a video report by Reuters, Arstan questioned why a terrorist wouldn’t conceal explosives in electronics when departing a European airport.

Etihad helps customers keep in touch

Etihad is offering first- and business-class travellers free WiFi and iPads on all US-bound flights from Abu Dhabi, effective April 2.

The airline will offer WiFi vouchers to passengers for the provision of free WiFi for the duration of the flight.

Additional iPads will be available for passengers who need them.

Saudia offers a compromise                         

Saudia is allowing guests travelling to the UK and US to use electronic devices during their transit to Saudi Arabia.

When boarding flights to the UK or US, Saudia staff will be at each boarding point to collect electronic devices and place each passenger’s electronics into individual boxes allocated to guests and marked with a luggage tag. The airline explained: “All electronics collected at the boarding gates will be loaded on to the same aircraft and handed out once the aircraft has landed at the destination.