Abu Dhabi has become the first of 10 airports hit by restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins to get the ban lifted.
Etihad began allowing passengers to take laptops and tablets on board flights to the US on Sunday after receiving approval from the Transportation Security Administration.
The decision comes after the US Department of Homeland Security backed away from a mooted expansion of the so-called “laptop” ban prohibiting large electronic devices to be taken as cabin baggage on direct flights to the US from the 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa.
Read: Airlines welcome US move to back away from global laptop ban.
US officials said “evaluated intelligence’’ suggested terrorist groups were continuing to target commercial aviation and the aggressive pursuit of innovative ways to prosecute their attacks included smuggling explosives in consumer items.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly announced a series of enhanced security measures would be introduced for 280 airports in 105 countries.
The measures, expected to affect an average of 2100 flights and 325,000 passengers a day, included a boost to overall passenger screening, heightened screening of personal electronic devices as well as increased security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas.
Airports will also be expected to deploy advanced technology, expand screening by dogs and establish additional preclearance locations for travellers heading to the US.
Abu Dhabi already has a US preclearance centre that allows international travellers to go through US customs and border security before boarding their flights.
The TSA tweeted that Etihad and Abu Dhabi had implemented “the required initial enhanced security measures’’.
“We welcome the decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to lift the electronic devices ban on flights between Abu Dhabi and the United States, following the successful validation of security measures at the U.S. Preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi airport,” the airline said in a statement.
“Effective immediately, the removal of the restrictions allows passengers flying to the U.S. to carry all laptops, tablets and other electronic devices onto the aircraft, subject to enhanced security measures.’’
