Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) expects to see the ban on laptops and other electronic devices on direct flights to the US lifted by July 19.

The airline is working with the country's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to implement new directives concerning alternative security measures for US-bound flights announced by the United States Department of Homeland Security, it said in a statement.

Saudia operates direct flights to the US from airports in Jeddah and Riyadh.

The restrictions on laptops were first announced in March for US-bound flights originating from eight Middle Eastern and North African countries including Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE.

On July 2, the US lifted its electronics ban on US flights originating from Abu Dhabi, saying Etihad Airways had put in place required tighter security measures.  - TradeArabia News Service