Dubai: The International Air Transport Association has called for alternatives to the US and UK ban on electronic devices aboard flights from the Middle East, citing that the security measures are not acceptable and long-term solution against terrorism.
A top official of the organisation of the world's airlines said that the electronics ban has also created severe “commercial distortions.”
“The current measures are not and acceptable long-term solution to whatever threat they are trying to mitigate,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO.
“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.”
The US ban, announced on March 21 and implemented starting March 25, prevents passengers on non-stop flights from 10 Middle Eastern airports from bringing large electronics into the aircraft cabin.
The ban is expected to last until October 14 this year and affects people flying direct to the United States from Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, Amman, Jordan; Cairo; Istanbul; Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Kuwait City; Casablanca, Morocco and Doha, Qatar.
The United Kingdom also announced a similar ban affecting flights from some airports in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan.
De Juniac raised his concerns about the electronics ban during a speech he delivered to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.
“With the measures now in place, our passengers and member airlines are asking valid questions. Why don’t the US and the UK have a common list of airports? "
"How can laptops be secure in the cabin on some flights and not others, including flights departing from the same airport? And surely there must be a way to screen electronic equipment effectively? The current situation is not acceptable and will not maintain the all-important confidence of the industry or of travelers. We must find a better way. And Governments must act quickly,” said de Juniac.
IATA also expressed frustration at the process used by governments to put in place the security measures which was woefully lacking. “The industry came together quickly to implement the new requirements. That was a challenge because there was no prior consultation and little coordination by governments,” said de Juniac.
