Dubai: Emirates Airline has implemented a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on all its flights. Passengers have been informed that these prohibited items will be confiscated by Dubai Police if found in either hand luggage or checked bags.
This decision follows a series of incidents in September where hand-held communication devices rigged with explosives detonated in Lebanon, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.
The simultaneous explosions of pagers, which are often used by Hezbollah members. At least 37 people, including children, were killed in the twin device attacks, and nearly 3,000 others were injured, according to Lebanese officials. Lebanon’s Civil Aviation Authority announced earlier that travelers are no longer permitted to take these devices on flights.
Qatar Airways also confirmed a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on all of its flights between Doha and Beirut last month.
A number of airlines in the Middle East have suspended flights to Beirut given rising regional unrest. There are currently no flights operating between the UAE and Lebanon, with Emirates suspending flights between Dubai and Beirut until October 8.
The airline has also canceled regular services to and from Iraq (Basra and Baghdad), Iran (Tehran), and Jordan (Amman) until October 15 due to regional instability.
Passengers transiting through Dubai to these destinations will not be permitted to travel. Meanwhile, flydubai has resumed flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan, while Etihad Airways has restarted services to Tel Aviv.