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Saudi Arabian Airlines expects the in-cabin ban on laptops and other large electronics on its direct flights to the US to be lifted by July 19, state news agency SPA reported Tuesday. But US authorities said it was too early to say whether the carrier would satisfy the new requirements. The airline is working with the country's civil aviation authority, GACA, to implement new security measures for US-bound flights announced by the US Department of Homeland Security last week, according to the SPA report. Saudia flies to the US from airports in Jeddah and Riyadh. Emirates said Tuesday it was working to implement measures to lift the ban. <br/>

China Airlines Monday denied rumours that it could suspend direct flight services between Taiwan Taoyuan International and New York, adding that all flights are operating normally. Yang Chung-hui, president of CAL's New York office, said she had received no information from CAL headquarters about any suspension, and added that the carrier's summer schedule will not be affected. However, travel agents, govt officials and overseas students are taking the unofficial information seriously, asking CAL not to shut down the 34-year-old service. According to an unattributed rumour, the carrier, troubled by huge losses and protests by flight crew about insufficient rest time working on the route, will replace the original service through code-sharing with other airlines to transfer via Los Angeles or San Francisco to New York. <br/>