In what is an excellent example of cooler heads prevailing with respect to the electronics ban, it appears that the US Pre-Clearance Facility in Abu Dhabi does in fact provide sufficient security to allow electronics to fly in the cabin. 

The large electronics ban has been ongoing for far longer than I think any of us expected it to last. The ban has been in place since late March, which is phenomenal to me. It prevents passengers flying to the US from 8 countries from carrying anything larger than a cell phone. That means no tablets, no laptops.

Electronics Ban Lifted out of Abu Dhabi

In what may be one of those “Duh” moments, it seems that Etihad Airways and the US have reached an agreement that the US Pre-Clearance facility is sufficient to screen electronic devices, to enable them to be brought in the cabin. 

Here’s what you can no bring into the cabin:

Wrapping Up

I feel like this is kind of a no brainer here. I mean the United Kingdom didn’t institute an electronics ban for any flights out of the United Arab Emirates. I think the question becomes, is this the first step in a loosening of the electronics ban, or is this just the realization that it sends a horrible message that the US doesn’t even trust its US Pre-Clearance facility in Abu Dhabi–in which case, why is it even there?

I think this is a positive step, in that it does acknowledge and demonstrate some value for the US Pre-Clearance Facility. I am still not sure I see the true value of this electronics ban, in so much that folks can just re-route elsewhere. I’ve seen far less security in other areas of the world for example.

What do you think about the latest news with respect to the Electronics Ban?