Airports in the Middle East have started the new laptop ban on flights to the USA and the UK. Electronic devices larger than a smartphone must now be checked in. The US ban has affected airlines from eight countries, while the UK ban applies to six countries. The ban is because larger digital devices can contain explosives. Dubai's Emirates airlines said it was told to keep the ban in place until October 14.
There has been mixed reaction to the ban. Airlines had 96 hours to enforce it or lose their license to fly to the US. They called it a "nightmare". Passengers may have to pay for the security checks. Some governments wondered why the ban affects only Muslim-majority countries. A passenger from Qatar said: "It's a rule. I follow the rules. The bigger problem…is the no smoking." Another passenger worried about her kids having no laptop on a long flight.