Emirates Bans Pagers and Walkie-Talkies Following Lebanon Blasts

Responding to the latest sabotage attacks in Lebanon. Emirates Airlines -based in Dubai- is banning pagers and walkie-talkies on its flights. A renew wave of violence in the region has been pinned to the use of communication gadgets in explosive attacks by Hezbollah, funded by Iran.

The items are now prohibited from being carried onto Emirates flights. A measure being taken among broader safety measures taken by the airline in the wake of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Prohibited Items for Passengers

The Emirates airline announced yesterday a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on flights to, from, or through the Dubai Emirate as part of a three-phase service improvement plan. Effective immediately on both checked and cabin baggage, the ban is expected to prevent sabotage attacks – like those allegedly conducted using communication devices in the bombings that erupted across Lebanon over the past week.

The airline stated:

All passengers flying into, out of, or through Dubai are barr from the carriage of pagers and walkie-talkies in check or carry-on baggage. Any such equipment found in the luggage of passengers will be confiscate by Dubai Police.

The ban followed a series of blasts last month, which killed several lives. Deployments of pagers and walkie-talkies in some of these attacks call for high-security precautions for airlines and other transport services, mainly in volatile regions. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the blasts, while at least 37 people died and about 3,000 were injured during the blasts in Lebanon.

Impact on Regional Emirates

Flights

Apart from the banned items, Emirates extended the cancellation of flights to several Middle Eastern destinations, given the escalation in the war in the region. Initially, the airline suspended its routes to Iraq and Iran following a major Iranian missile strike on Israel that saw missiles flying across several countries in the Middle East. According to reports, Emirates has now confirmed the suspension to remain in place until Tuesday.

The airline cancelled some of its flights due to the escalating tensions in terms of passenger safety. Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have shown no signs of letting up. Lebanon has borne the brunt, and flights to and from the country have been grounded until October 15. Israel has increased its military operations within Lebanon, including parts of the capital Beirut. Targeting areas that are in close proximity to Lebanon’s only international airport.

Emirates Flights Resume to Jordan

Whereas flights to Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon are still suspended. Emirates clarified that they would resume flights to Jordan, effective tomorrow. Not being directly involved in the current fight. Jordan is nearer to the areas of conflict; thus it had also suspended its flights as a precautionary measure earlier.

Given that the Middle East continues experiencing uncertainty, the Emirates continues to review the routes every day. The Middle East’s biggest carrier has, as of late, been severely affect by surging violence. Is join with other responsible authorities to ensure the safety of the passengers that fly with them.

Broader Aviation Impact

Emirates is not an exception. Other international and regional airlines have suspended their flights to Middle Eastern countries, particularly to Beirut. As the tension continues to rise between Hezbollah and Israel. A lot of airlines are suspending operations not to fly over potentially insecure airspaces. The increased risk of missile strikes and air raids in the air space over Lebanon. Other neighbouring regions make air travel in the region extremely precarious.

Conclusion

In view of the ongoing escalation of violence and the use of communication devices in sabotage attacks. Emirates has taken a very bold decision to protect its passengers. It has banned the carrying of pagers and walkie-talkies on all of its flights. With the situation in Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries remaining volatile. Emirates has also extended flight cancellations to several key destinations. They do, however, show some of the greater macro effects that the conflict had on regional aviation. The airlines need to make difficult choices when operating in such a blurred landscape.