DUBAI – Emirates airlines, the UAE national carrier, said no passenger will be allowed to board the flights to and from Dubai if they are carrying pagers or walkie-talkies with them.
“All Passengers traveling 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,” Emirates said in a statement.
The carrier did not share any reason for the decision but it comes after thousands of such devices were exploded by Israel in Lebanon on September 17 and 18.
Since then, Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Lebanon as it recently killed Hassan Nasrullah, the general secretary of Hezbollah, in a raid in Beirut.
Meanwhile, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia, have cancelled flights to and from Beirut due to escalation in the region.
Last month, the UAE issued fresh guidelines for foreign nationals travelling to the Gulf country on visit visas.
Though the government of UAE is easing visa restrictions for foreigners, experts believe that one should be carrying a few important documents and a specified amount of cash while visiting the emirate.
In this regard, travel agencies in the emirate have now advised the tourists to carry Dh3,000 cash, a valid return ticket, and proof of accommodation before going on a flight to the emirate.
The authorities in the emirate are ensuring that strict entry guidelines are followed though no official word is available on the amount of cash one needs to travel to the emirate.
The severity of the matter could be ascertained from the fact that some of the UAE-bound flyers who failed to meet the requirements claimed that they were stopped at different airports and barred from boarding their flights.
Travel agents are also requesting people heading to Dubai to have a valid visa with a passport having a validity of at least six months to avoid any hassle.
