Emirates Airline Bans Pagers and Walkie-Talkies on Flights Following Lebanon Blasts

Emirates Bans Pagers and Walkie-Talkies After Lebanon Coup Attacks, Extends Flight Cancellations

Dubai-based airline Emirates banned pagers and walkie-talkies on its planes after the coup attacks in Lebanon, extending flight cancellations to Middle East destinations due to regional escalation.

“All passengers traveling on flights from or to Dubai are prohibited from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies in checked or cabin baggage,” the carrier said, weeks after a wave of explosive communications devices used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Israel was blamed for the attack.

Dubai Police will confiscate such items found in passengers’ hand luggage or checked baggage, Emirates said in a statement posted on its website on Friday.

Last month, 37 people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured in explosions across Lebanon.

Emirates, the Middle East’s largest airline, also said it would suspend Iraq and Iran routes until Tuesday. The cancellation was originally announced in the wake of Iran’s major attack on Israel this week, which saw missiles fly over Iraq and Iran.

Emirates announced that on Sunday, it will start operating its halted flights to Jordan.

Emirates, which has parts of the city close to its single airport, announced that it will restrict flights to and from Lebanon until October 15. This move comes as threats against the Israeli state intensify.

A number of other airlines also ceased operations to Beirut and other airports in the Middle East.