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Qatar Airways said Thursday its passengers can once again carry on laptop computers and other personal electronics for direct flights to the United States. The airline said in a statement that it and its hub Hamad International Airport had met new U.S. security requirements. In March, the U.S. banned laptops and large electronics from the cabins of direct flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa over concerns that terrorists could hide bombs inside the devices. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security further said last week that the airlines needed to implement sophisticated imaging technology for X-Ray and ultrasound screening of carry-on devices, or continue to ban passengers from bringing the electronics on the plane. Qatar Airways is the fourth airline to announce this week the restrictions were being lifted for its passengers. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad was the first to say so on Sunday, while Dubai-based Emirates and Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines said Tuesday they had met the new requirements. An Emirates spokesperson said in a statement new imaging technology was put in place at Dubai International, the world's busiest airport for international travel. Emirates airlines had reported a decline in the past month in demand for flights to the United States, and consequently cut its schedule from Dubai to five U.S. cities. The ban still applies to non-stop U.S.-bound flights from airports in Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco. | 
