US lifts electronic device ban on Qatar Airways flights

Passengers traveling from Doha's Hamad International Airport to the United States can now carry laptops and other electronic devices, Qatar's national carrier announced Thursday.

In a statement, Qatar Airways said it and the airport had both complied with new security requirements laid down earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In March, U.S. authorities banned passengers from carrying a number of electronic devices -- most notably laptops -- aboard flights originating in several countries of the Middle East and North Africa.

The ban applied to 10 airlines and 10 airports, including some in Turkey and in seven Arab countries.

Qatar Airways, the second largest airline company in the Middle East, conducts daily flights from Doha to 10 destinations in the U.S.

In response, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines and Turkish Airlines all announced this week that they would lift bans on flights to the United States.

Operating mainly from Doha's Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways offers flights to more than 150 destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and Australia.