The Arab airlines using Trump's bans for marketing

Arab carriers use electronics ban for clever marketing ads, garnering thousands of clicks and reactions online.

Arab airlines are using witty marketing and satire to respond to the recent US and UK ban on carry-on electronic goods on inbound flights from Arab countries.

The decision, introduced on Tuesday, bars passengers on flights originating in eight Arab countries from carrying any electronic device larger than a mobile phone.

Senior US officials told reporters that nine airlines from countries in the Arab world had been given 96 hours to institute the ban. The UK announced a similar ban shortly after.

Laptops, e-readers, cameras, tablets, printers, electronic games and portable DVD players are affected by the ban - which applies to direct flights to the United States - but they may still be stowed in the hold in checked baggage.

The indefinite US ban targets 10 airports and nine airlines, including Turkish Airlines and the major Gulf carriers: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, as well as the Jordanian state airline, Royal Jordanian.

Some of the companies have been quick to respond, with lighthearted humour, using the ban as a marketing opportunity. 

The United Arab Emirates flagship carrier, Emirates Airline, posted a video on social media with the slogan "let us entertain you". 

Social media users responded to the ad, saying: "The ban is unnecessary and annoying, but fair play to you, Emirates, for this ad. Well done!" 

Another user said: "Extremely well played, @emirates But business people need to work, will you provide tablets with office apps for the flight? Now you should." 

Similarly, the Royal Jordanian released a nursery rhyme that poked fun at the series of bans targeting the Arab world introduced by US President Donald Trump.