Laptop ban on US-bound Turkish Airlines' flights ends

By Izzet Taskiran

ISTANBUL (AA) - The ban on carrying large electronic devices aboard U.S.-bound passenger aircraft ended for Turkish Airlines flights from Istanbul early Wednesday, according to an airline spokesman and passengers.

The ban was lifted after American security officials visited Turkish airports to monitor security arrangements.

Passengers of Turkish Airlines' U.S.-bound flights can now carry electronic devices aboard flights from Istanbul, an airline spokesman told Anadolu Agency.

The U.S. in March banned all passengers from carrying large electronic devices, such as laptops, on commercial flights to the U.S. from 10 international airports in eight Muslim-majority countries -- Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey.

Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan said on Tuesday American officials would examine explosives detection machines at airports across Turkey.

Turkey, by the end of June, had begun using U.S.-manufactured tomography machines on trial basis to scan luggage at airports.

Bariscan Koymen, who was flying to New York for a family holiday, told Anadolu Agency at the Istanbul airport that he felt relieved by the lifting of the ban.

“We feel a little bit relieved by the removal of this restriction since we are going on a long journey,” Koymen said.

“I always carry my laptop that hold my all vacation plans and personal information, with me everywhere I go.”

Fevzi Kutay Demir, another passenger who was going to the U.S. for summer school, said he was carrying a tablet aboard his flight.

"The lifting of the ban is positive [news] for us. We came to know about the lifting of ban through the media," Demir said.