Dubai: In response to recent deadly attacks in Lebanon, involving communication devices, Emirates Airlines, the largest carrier in the Middle East, has announced a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies for all passengers traveling to, from, or via Dubai. This new regulation follows last month’s tragic incidents in Lebanon, where thousands of Hezbollah’s booby-trapped pagers and radios exploded, killing at least 37 people, including children, and injuring nearly 3,000 others.
The airline stated on Friday that these items would not be allowed in either checked or cabin baggage and that any prohibited devices found would be confiscated by Dubai Police. These measures are part of heightened security in the wake of the attacks, which Lebanese authorities have widely blamed on Israel.
The explosive devices were reportedly embedded in the lithium batteries of pagers and radios, making them difficult to detect. The attacks have heightened tensions in the region, leading to widespread disruptions in air travel.
Emirates has also announced that flights to Lebanon will remain suspended until October 15 due to escalating Israeli attacks on Hezbollah. Additionally, services to Iraq and Iran will remain canceled until Tuesday, while flights to Jordan will resume on Sunday. Several other airlines have also suspended flights to Beirut and other regional airports as conflict in the region continues to intensify.