Smart scooter banned on Emirates airlines for safety

Bahrain-based travellers must avoid carrying self-balancing smart scooters or ‘hoverboards’ to Emirates airline as the airlines has already banned it.

A representative from the airlines told DT News that the item is banned in checked-in or carry-on luggage.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Mattar, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President – Airport Services was quoted by the UAE media as saying, “With the upcoming holiday season, we expect many passengers to be carrying gifts for their loved ones including the popular smart balance wheels. We prioritise the safety of our passengers and crew, and regret we will not accept these as part of checked-in baggage or as hand luggage. We urge all our customers to check the full list of restricted items before travelling for safe and undisrupted travels.”

On its website, the airline says, “this regulation still applies even if you’re connecting to our flights from an airline that has accepted them”.

“ British Airways and Air Canada have also banned the item from taking it to the aircraft. Risk associated with smart scooters has come to light recently when a video of the item catching fire went viral. Concerns have been raised about its safety by various organisations around the globe.  UK officials had also seized more than 15,000 “unsafe” hoverboards that were reportedly likely to overheat.