EgyptAir bans electronic devices on US-bound flights

By Mahmoud al-Husseini

CAIRO (AA) - EgyptAir, Egypt’s state-owned national carrier, said Tuesday that -- as of Friday -- it would ban passengers traveling to the U.S. from carrying electronic devices aboard.

"The decision, which will go into effect Friday, will apply to laptops and tablets," the airline said in a statement.

"We have heard from the U.S. transportation authorities in this regard, as it will first affect EgyptAir flight 985 to New York on Friday morning," it added.

Earlier Tuesday, aviation authorities in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia announced similar decisions.

According to U.S. media reports, the U.S. plans to ban air passengers coming from 10 countries in the Middle East and Africa from carrying electronic devices.

The ban will reportedly apply to DVD players, tablets and laptops, which passengers will henceforth have to store below in their luggage.