Etihad says passengers from US ban countries can board

Etihad Airways is allowing nationals from 6 Muslim-majority countries on a US travel ban list to board flights to the US if they have valid travel documents, the airline said Thursday. The US Supreme Court ruled Monday to allow part of the ban which applies to citizens and refugees from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Visa applicants from the 6 countries must have a close US family relationship or formal ties to a US entity to be admitted to the US under guidance distributed by the US State Department Wednesday. "The airline continues to accept nationals with valid travel documentation from the 6 listed countries," an Etihad Airways spokesman said. "Acceptance, as per standard procedure, is subject to checks completed by US authorities at the preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi airport.” <br/>