Dubai’s Emirates airline bans pagers, walkie-talkies after device attacks in Lebanon
Emirates airline, based in Dubai, has instituted a prohibition on pagers and walkie-talkies aboard its aircraft, a decision made in light of recent incidents involving these devices linked to the Lebanese militant organization, Hezbollah.
In a statement shared on its website on Friday, the airline specified, “All travelers on flights to, from, or via Dubai are not allowed to carry pagers and walkie-talkies in either checked luggage or cabin baggage.” The airline further noted that any such items discovered in passengers’ carry-on or checked bags would be seized by the Dubai Police.
This announcement follows a series of simultaneous explosions involving pagers in Lebanon, which were followed by similar detonations from walkie-talkies. Lebanese authorities have attributed the attacks to Israel. The tragic incidents resulted in the deaths of at least 37 individuals, including children, with nearly 3,000 others sustaining injuries, as reported by Lebanese officials.
As tensions in the Middle East escalate, flight operations continue to be impacted. In its most recent update, Emirates announced that flights to and from Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, remain suspended until October 15. Additionally, passengers traveling through Dubai to reach Beirut will not be permitted to board their flights at their departure points until further notice.
Emirates also indicated that it plans to resume services to Amman, the capital of Jordan, starting Sunday, while flights to and from Iraq and Iran will continue to be canceled through Monday. Numerous other airlines have similarly suspended flights to Beirut and other nearby airports.
