Emirates Airlines has placed a ban on passengers travelling with pagers and walkie talkies over heightened safety concerns.
In a travel update on the Emirates website on October 4, 2024, the airline said that passengers are now prohibited from “transporting pagers and walkie talkies” on its flights.
“All Passengers travelling on flights to, from or via Dubai are prohibited from transporting pagers and walkie talkies in checked or cabin baggage. Such items found in passengers’ hand luggage or checked baggage will be confiscated by Dubai Police,” the Dubai flag carrier.
The escalation in safety protocols comes following deadly attacks on Hezbollah in which pagers and walkie talkies obtained by the group exploded in two separate incidents.
In the September attacks thousands of pagers and walkie talkies exploded resulting in the deaths of over 30 people.
It is thought that the attack was orchestrated by Israel, but the country has not claimed responsibility for detonating the devices.
Additionally, Emirates updated its guidance on traveling to Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Lebanon due to the complex military situation in the region.
Emirates advised passengers it will resume flights to Amman in Jordan from October 6, 2024, and flights from Iraq and Iran remain cancelled up to and including October 7, 2024.
The airline noted that “customers transiting through Dubai with final destinations in Iraq and Iran will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until 8 October 2024”.
Emirates’ flights to/from Beirut remain cancelled up to and including October 15, 2024, and passengers transiting through Dubai with Beirut as their final destination will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region and are in contact with the relevant authorities regarding developments,” Emirates said.