Emirates has banned pagers and walkie talkies on all Dubai flights, it announced in a travel advisory.
The UAE carrier said the communications devices were prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage.
A travel update on the airline’s website said: “All Passengers travelling on flights to, from or via Dubai are prohibited from transporting pagers and walkie talkies in checked or cabin baggage.
Emirates bans pagers and walkie talkies
“Such items found in passengers’ hand luggage or checked baggage will be confiscated by Dubai Police”.
Meanwhile the airline has also cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Iran and Jordan, citing regional unrest.
A statement from the Dubai-carrier said: “Emirates is cancelling all regular flights to/from Iraq (Basra and Baghdad), Iran (Tehran), and Jordan (Amman) on October October 4 and 5 due to regional unrest.
“Customers transiting through Dubai with final destinations in Iraq, Iran, and Jordan will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice”.
The airline said it is closely monitoring the situation in the region and is “in contact with the relevant authorities regarding developments”.
The pager and walkie-talkie attacks, widely blamed on Israeli intelligence, were the result of the devices having been intercepted and manipulated during shipping. It’s believed small bomb materials were placed inside them, and then detonated when a signal was sent simultaneously to thousands of the electronics.
The death toll from the September 17 and 18 attacks was at least 42 killed and over 3500 injured. At least 12 civilians were killed as a result of the operation meant to disrupt Hezbollah, including children.
One big concern in the aftermath was the possibility of booby-trapped pager and device proliferation outside the country. What if someone with one of the thousands of manipulated pagers got on a plane?
This appears to be the fear that Emirates is addressing. Other regional carriers could follow suit. Emirates is the largest airline in the Middle East.
It is one among many global airlines which have suspended flights in and out of Beirut, and currently flights to Iraq and Iran remain halted until Tuesday. Services to Jordan will resume on Sunday.
Israel has continued large-scale airstrikes on Beirut, not just focusing on the southern suburbs and Hezbollah strongholds, but in the past days hitting central Beirut as well.
Impacted customers are advised to contact booking agents for alternative travel options.
