Bizav Not Affected by TSA's Large-electronics Ban

The ban by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on electronic devices larger than a smartphone in the passenger cabin on flights from 10 Middle East and Northern Africa airports to the U.S. does not affect private or charter flights on business aircraft, according to Flight Service Bureau, a flight-planning company that works with international aircraft operators. “Closed-charter flights where passengers are known to each other are a much lower risk, and a small aircraft with 10 people on board falls outside the primary target threat area,” the company noted.

The National Business Aviation Association said that it has spoken with government officials, and "we do not believe the ban applies to general aviation." As a precaution, the NBAA's International Operations Committee has asked FBOs at affected airports to advise if it appears that the new requirement is having any impact on business aviation.

The TSA recently notified nine airlines about the ban, which affects departures from Queen Alia, Cairo, Ataturk, King Abdul-Aziz, King Khalid, Kuwait Mohammed V, Hamad, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi International Airports.  According to a TSA Q&A web page, the large-electronic ban on flights will “remain in place until the threat changes.”

Flight Service Bureau said that intelligence showed “credible evidence” of development of a bomb that could be hidden in portable electronics. “Two additional American officials, speaking anonymously, said the explosives were designed to be hidden in laptop batteries,” it added. The TSA also warned, “Terrorist groups continue to target aviation interests.”