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FeAture SECURITY

LeFt: The U.S. Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) was
leaning towards expanding the ban
to cover flights from Europe to the
U.S., but has shelved the idea

rigHt: Storing electronic devices
that have batteries made of
lithium, in aircraft cargo holds has
the potential for danger as the
batteries could ignite
raise the bar for aviation security globally, carriers this year, especially in the Middle However, none of these measures would
including through a range of potential seen East. The electronics ban, which according be enough to convince flyers who have
and unseen enhancements.” According to to Kelly was the result of “some very serious concerns about the security of information
sources, the opposition voiced by the airline intel about a very serious threat,” was the in electronic items that are stowed in transit.
industry wasn’t the main factor behind the latest blow for airlines in the region, which Industry Raises its Voice
decision not to expand the device ban. The was already dealing with a fall in passenger The International Air Transport Association
clincher, they say, was the potential danger numbers due to factors such as the ban left no one wondering which side it was on
in storing electronic devices that have on travel to the U.S. of people from seven when it declared that the electronics ban
batteries made of lithium, which can ignite, in Muslim majority nations and Britain’s vote to was not an acceptable or effective long-
aircraft cargo holds. leave the European union. term solution to security threats. It also
Emirates’ annual profit fell this year for highlighted the severe commercial impact of
Financial Implications of Ban the first time in five years, by an eye-popping the decision as well.
The record profits made by North American 82 percent. While some of it can be attributed “The responses of Canada, the EU
carriers were the primary reason for the to the carrier adding more seats than it could and Australia to the same intelligence
global industry experiencing a never-before fill, the airline itself attributes much of the demonstrate that a ban on large electronic
year in 2016. Experts are of the opinion fall in profit to external destabilizing factors, devices in the cabin is not the only way
that expanding the electronics ban, which such as the electronics ban. forward,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA CEO, said
currently applies to flights for the United The airline has already introduced cost in a statement. “Indeed, we believe that it is
States from ten airports in the Middle East saving measures, including reducing the not sustainable in the long run.”
and Africa, would have hurt carriers in a major number of flights to the U.S. Other carriers in While the U.S. Travel Association
way, triggering a crisis in the industry. the region too are struggling. stressed on the need to minimize disruption
An expansion of the device ban would of legitimate travel even while pursuing
have caused inconvenience to business Damage Control measures to cope with threats, the Airline
travelers, thereby forcing many to look The fall in passenger numbers. or the Passenger Experience Association asked
for alternative routes, beside resulting inevitable delay in flights to ensure the U.S. Government to consider alternatives
in logistical bottlenecks that would have passenger compliance, aren’t the only such as testing laptops for chemical residues
required additional funding and manpower to problems that carriers have had to contend associated with bombs and requiring owners
address. This would have further eaten away with. Added security measures mean more to turn on their devices.
into the profits of airlines, which are already investment, as does the strategy to provide
dealing with increased fuel prices as well as a iPads for passengers, as Etihad Airways has
surge in populism and nationalism. done for first and business class passengers,
More people are traveling by air or offering laptops on load, which was the
internationally than ever, but there have Qatar Airways way of retaining passengers
been unexpected bumps along the road for following the ban on laptops and iPads.
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