Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East, has announced a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on all its flights. This follows deadly explosions in Lebanon linked to the use of communication devices by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group.
The new rule, which applies to all passengers traveling to, from, or through Dubai, was put in place after recent security concerns in the Middle East. These attacks, blamed on Hezbollah, have escalated tensions in the region, affecting air travel.
In a statement released by Emirates on its official website, the airline confirmed the ban on pagers and walkie-talkies.
“Passengers are prohibited from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies in both checked or cabin baggage,” the airline said.
If any such devices are found in passengers’ luggage, they will be confiscated by Dubai Police.
This security measure comes weeks after a series of explosions in Lebanon that were reportedly triggered by tampered communication devices. These blasts, which killed at least 37 people and injured nearly 3,000, have been linked to sabotage carried out by Hezbollah. The group has accused Israel of being behind the attacks, further fueling the ongoing conflict in the region.
In addition to the ban on certain devices, Emirates has also extended its suspension of flights to several Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq and Iran.
The airline had initially cancelled flights to these destinations due to increasing violence in the region. The tensions came to a head after a major attack by Iran on Israel earlier this week, which saw missiles being launched over Iraq and Iran.
The airline also confirmed that its flights to Jordan, which were previously suspended, will resume on Sunday.
However, flights to Lebanon will remain grounded until October 15, as violence in the region continues to escalate. Israel has ramped up attacks on Lebanon, including parts of Beirut, the country’s capital. The airport, located near one of the areas hit by Israeli airstrikes, has seen significant damage, making it unsafe for flights to resume.
Emirates’ decision to extend flight suspensions is not unique, as several other international airlines have also halted flights to and from Beirut and other Middle Eastern airports. The unstable situation in the region has led to widespread concern over the safety of both passengers and airline staff.
