Turkish Airlines: No ban on electronics on US flights

By Ahmet Sait Akcay

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Airlines announced Tuesday that there would be no restrictions on passengers on United States-bound flights carrying larger electronic devices in cabin luggage.

The statement came amid reports on plans by the U.S. to ban passengers traveling into the country on some foreign airline flights from carrying larger electronic devices on board in response to an unspecified terrorism threat.

“There is not any negative impact or different regulation reflected in our operations regarding news of the ban on passengers flying to the U.S. from carrying larger electronic devices. There is no change in our procedures for carrying electronic devices inside the cabin,” Turkey's national flag carrier said.

According to the Reuters news agency, the new rule is expected to be announced as early as Tuesday night by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and had been under consideration since the government learned of a threat several weeks ago.

The regulation will reportedly cover at least ten countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Royal Jordanian Airlines announced Monday the banning of in-flight electronics in response to instructions from the U.S.

It added that the ban would be effective as of March 21 and “instructions will be applied on the New York, Chicago, Detroit and Montreal flights.”