Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai, has implemented a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies aboard its flights in response to recent sabotage attacks in Lebanon. The airline has also extended flight cancellations to several Middle Eastern destinations due to escalating regional tensions.
In an announcement, Emirates stated, “All passengers traveling on flights to, from, or via Dubai are prohibited from transporting pagers and walkie-talkies in checked or cabin baggage.” This decision follows a series of attacks involving exploding communication devices attributed to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which has blamed Israel for the incidents. The blasts last month resulted in at least 37 fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries across Lebanon.
Emirates further indicated that any such items found in passengers’ luggage would be confiscated by Dubai Police. As the largest airline in the Middle East, Emirates has also confirmed that its routes to Iraq and Iran will remain suspended until Tuesday. These cancellations were initially announced following a significant Iranian attack on Israel this week, which involved missile launches over Iraq and Iran.
While flights to Jordan, which were also suspended, are set to resume on Sunday, Emirates has stated that flights to and from Lebanon will remain canceled until October 15. This decision aligns with Israel’s intensified military actions in Lebanon, particularly in areas near Beirut’s only airport. Other airlines have similarly paused services to and from Beirut and various other airports in the Middle East due to the ongoing situation.
