Emirates Airlines Bans Pagers, Walkie-Talkies On Its Flights Amid Middle-East Tensions

In response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, Emirates Airlines has implemented a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on its flights.

This decision follows recent sabotage attacks in Lebanon and comes with extended cancellations of flights to various regional destinations, AFP reports.

“All passengers travelling on flights to, from or via Dubai are prohibited from transporting pagers and walkie-talkies in checked or cabin baggage,” the carrier said, weeks after a wave of exploding communication devices used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which blamed Israel for the attacks.

In a statement posted on its website on Friday, Emirates said that “such items found in passengers’ hand luggage or checked baggage will be confiscated by Dubai Police.”

The blasts last month resulted in at least 37 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries across Lebanon.

As the largest airline in the Middle East, Emirates also announced that its routes to Iraq and Iran will remain suspended until Tuesday.

The cancellations were first reported following a significant Iranian attack on Israel this week that saw missiles launched over Iraq and Iran.

Emirates stated that flights to Jordan, which were previously suspended, would resume on Sunday.

However, flights to and from Lebanon will remain suspended until October 15, as Israel intensifies its attacks on the country, including areas near Beirut’s only airport.

Several other airlines have also suspended services to and from Beirut and other Middle Eastern airports.