IATA: UK/US large electronic restrictions 'not acceptable', create 'severe commercial distortions'

IATA called (28-Mar-2017) on international governments to urgently find alternatives to recently announced measures by the US and the UK to restrict the carry-on of large electronic items on certain flights departing the Middle East and North Africa.

• IATA DG and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said the current measures "are not an acceptable long-term solution to whatever threat they are trying to mitigate" and it is "difficult to understand their effectiveness" even in the short term. Mr de Juniac called on governments to work with the industry to find a way to keep flying secure without separating passengers from their personal electronics;
• IATA noted the "severe" commercial distortions to measures create;
• IATA also expressed frustration at the process used by governments to put in place the security measures which was "woefully lacking", noting there was "no prior consultation and little coordination by governments";
• IATA reiterated it call for better information sharing and coordination on security measures among governments and with the industry. [more - original PR]

IATA: "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," Alexandre de Juniac, DG and CEO. Source: IATA, 28-Mar-2017.