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Qatar Airways Gives Passengers Laptops After Trump Bans Electronics

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Eric Lieberman Managing Editor
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Qatar Airways is now offering laptops directly to passengers in response to the U.S. government’s ban of larger electronics on certain airlines.

The Trump administration issued travel restrictions earlier in March in response to new intelligence signaling terrorist groups intensified their efforts to attack air travel.

“Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wrote in a press release. “Based on this trend, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies, has determined it is prudent to enhance security, to include airport security procedures for passengers at certain last point of departure airports to the United States.” (RELATED: Mother ‘Livid’: Watch This TSA Agent Thoroughly Pat Down A Child)

The policy restricts passengers traveling from ten airports from bringing electronic devices larger than a standard cell phone onto an aircraft flying to the U.S. The 10 transportation hubs are located in eight majority-Muslim countries.

Qatar Airways, which operates in the affected airports, including in the country from which it gets its name, is trying to push back against the policy by offering customers a “laptop loan service.”

“As an award-winning and global airline we truly appreciate the importance of being able to work on board our aircraft and that is why I have insisted on offering only the best possible solution for our customers,” Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said in an official statement. “By providing this laptop loan service we can ensure that our passengers on flights to the US can continue to work whilst on-board. This unique ability to offer ‘business as usual’, above and beyond the competition, is yet another example of Qatar Airways justification for being the ‘World’s Best Business Class.'”

Passengers within the specific level of service will also be provided with complimentary Wi-Fi.

Qatar Airways, which has a history of facetiously and indirectly criticizing President Donald Trump, compiled twelve suggestions for travelers who are unable to afford a leased laptop. (RELATED: NY Airport Didn’t Have Access To ‘No Fly’ Terrorist List)

Qatar Airways isn’t the only affected carrier to try to come up with a way to circumvent the policy to some degree.

While it seemingly intends on complying with the U.S. security policy, the United Arab Emirates-based Etihad Airways announced Wednesday that it would offer loaner iPads and free Wi-Fi on U.S. flights starting Saturday.

Turkish Airlines announced earlier this week that it would start offering free Wi-Fi, as well.

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