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Last week the UK government announced a ban on larger mobile devices being taken into airline cabins on certain flights. Rob Gill explores the implications for travellers.
Airline passengers flying to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are being advised to get to the airport earlier and check their insurance policies if they are carrying laptops and tablets.
The UK government has banned larger mobile devices from the cabins of all flights from these six countries due to security concerns. Instead, passengers will have to put the gadgets in their hold luggage – raising concerns about whether they will be covered by insurance.
Airlines were quick to change their advice to passengers following last week’s announcement by transport secretary Chris Grayling.
It came just hours after the US had imposed a similar ban on inbound flights being operated by nine airlines from 10 Middle Eastern and North African airports, including Cairo, Istanbul, Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
British Airways has warned passengers travelling to the UK from the six named countries that they should “arrive in good time for the various stages of your journey” and they will be “subject to additional searches and questions”.
While easyJet said: “All passengers are advised to leave additional time to get to the airport and we recommend that they do not bring large personal electronic devices if possible.”
Abta said it was working with its members to make sure their customers were “aware of the new requirements and pack their bags accordingly”.
“The immediate priority must be making sure travellers are aware of the new rules and are advised to pack their bags correctly to help minimise disruption and protect their items from confiscation,” said the association.
Passengers have also been urged to check the small print of their travel insurance policies to ensure their mobile devices will be covered.
Abta said such devices were “typically not covered” by travel insurance policies for loss, damage or theft when being carried in an aircraft’s hold.
Barry Smith, Allianz Global Assistance’s underwriting manager UK and Ireland, added: “As well as taking the time to thoroughly understand the terms and limits of the policy ahead of their departure, UK customers travelling to and from the countries affected should check the cover provided by their household and gadget insurers, as this may already provide cover.”
Following the government’s announcement, Holidays Extras was quick to launch a new extended gadget policy to cover mobile devices carried in an airline’s hold.
“It is essential for us to ensure that customers can travel with the peace of mind that their belongings are covered,” said Paul Paddock, head of insurance.
Alan Bowen, legal advisor to the Association of Atol Companies, added: “Most airlines deny liability for damage to electronic equipment in checked bags, and many people only carry hand luggage anyway to avoid paying baggage charges. If you can’t bring them back to the UK, there is no point in taking them through security in the UK in the first place.”
Some have described the ban as illogical. Greeley Koch, executive director of the Association for Corporate Travel Executives, said: “Our belief is that safety is paramount but the current restrictions defy common sense.
“Assuming there is dangerous new technology, a terrorist could just as easily inflict damage when flying to the US or UK from any airport anywhere in the world – not just those in the Middle East. Also supposing the risk is real, why do the US and UK e-bans cover different countries?”
Paul Wait, chief executive of the GTMC, admitted that banning laptops “may be frustrating for many business travellers”. But he added: “We have to welcome any new regulations that are introduced on safety grounds.”
The new UK government rules only apply to inbound flights to the UK from six countries: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. Flights from the UK to these countries are not included in the ban.
Passengers cannot take mobile devices into the airline cabin if they are bigger than the following dimensions: length 16cm, width 9.3cm, depth 1.5cm.
This means all laptops, tablets and e-readers will have to go in passengers’ hold luggage. Any devices purchased in airport duty-free shops that are larger than these dimensions will not be allowed in the cabin.
Most smartphones will continue to be allowed, including iPhone 7 Plus, Samsung Galaxy 7 Edge, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, LG G3 and Sony Xperia Z2.
Source: Department for Transport
