Emirates bans pagers from flights after Lebanon attack

Emirates Airline customers will no longer be allowed to travel with pager or walkie-talkie devices according to a company statement released Friday. The new policy comes after the militant group Hezbollah said their pagers and walkie-talkies were laced with explosives that killed dozens and wounded thousands including children in September. 

“All Passengers traveling on flights to, from or via Dubai are prohibited from transporting pagers and walkie talkies in checked or cabin baggage,” Emirates said in their statement. “Such items found in passengers’ hand luggage or checked baggage will be confiscated by Dubai Police.”

In addition to these restrictions concerning passenger safety, Emirates has also canceled flights from Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, until Oct. 15 and postponed flights out of Iran and Iraq until Oct. 7. The airline will also not accept passengers from Dubai heading to Beirut.

Other companies have followed suit. Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor said the mid-September attack on devices went largely “undetected” which remains a concern for people in the area. 

The Hill reached out to Emirates for comment.