US Homeland Security Department commends Etihad Airways' efforts to adopt new measures

ABU DHABI, 4th July, 2017 (WAM) -- David Lapan, Spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, has commended the steps taken by Etihad Airways to implement additional measures leading to the lifting of the ban on electronics in flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to airports in the United States, US. "We commend Etihad for working swiftly to implement these additional measures. Their efforts are a model for both foreign and domestic airlines looking to adopt the new measures," Lapan said in an email. US officials said the laptop ban was revoked for Etihad Airways after inspections by the Transportation Security Administration verified that the measures announced last week by the Department of Homeland Security, had been implemented correctly. Amina Taher, Vice President for Corporate Affairs at the Etihad Aviation Group, said the laptop ban on flights to the US from Abu Dhabi International Airport was lifted due to the Group's close co-operation with the US Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration. The US Customs and Border Protection's Pre-Clearance Facility at Terminal 3 of Abu Dhabi International Airport was the first to implement the short-term measures aimed at lifting the ban on laptops and other electronic devices on flights to airports in the US. A statement issued on Monday by Abu Dhabi Airports said, "We are the first airport to have the ban lifted, which is a testament to our responsiveness to the ever-changing security situation and our commitment to ensuring the comfort and safety of our passengers while travelling to and from the UAE capital. "The safety of passengers is always our priority and new security measures are now in place at AUH to enable passengers travelling from Abu Dhabi to take laptops and tablets into the cabin as they head to America. We are one of the safest airports in the world and we hope that our passengers feel even more secure with these additional security measures."