Weary flyers shrug as Middle East laptop ban takes off

A controversial ban on carry-on laptops and tablets on flights from the Middle East to the United States and Britain went into effect on Saturday, with less fanfare and frustration than expected. From Dubai to Doha, passengers on dozens of flights checked in their electronic devices, many shrugging off the measure as yet another inconvenience of global travel. "It's a rule. I follow the rules," said Rakan Mohammed, a Qatari national who flies from Doha to the US two to three times a year. "The bigger problem for my family is the no smoking. On a long flight, they become restless after three hours." At Dubai International, one of the world's busiest hubs, flag carrier Emirates dispatched staff to guide passengers through one of the most intense travel weekends of the year. Around 1.1m people are expected to pass through as the city marks UAE spring break, Dubai Airports said. An estimated 260,000 travellers were expected each day from Friday through Monday. Dubai International Airport expect 89 million passengers this year. Staff in red suits could be seen at the airport on Saturday carrying signs explaining the electronics ban, ready to appease travellers with games and activities for children. Government-owned Emirates, which operates 18 direct flights to the US daily, also began a service to enable passengers to use their electronic devices after check-in and until boarding. The restrictions have come under criticism for targeting majority-Muslim countries. The US ban in particular has raised eyebrows for covering airports from which American airlines do not operate direct flights.<br/>