Air NZ grounds the Furby

Furby toys have been ordered off Air New Zealand flights - unless they have their batteries removed.

The cute dolls, powered by a microprocessor equal in performance to an old desktop computer, talk and dance after hearing sounds or detecting movement. They were one of the most popular gifts for American children last Christmas.

Air New Zealand technical experts have decided the toys are powerful enough to affect aircraft electronics.

"When Singapore Airlines announced some time ago they were banning them, our guys were already on to it," said Air New Zealand spokesman Alastair Carthew.

"A group of them who study these things had met and decided we wouldn't do a blanket ban, but people had to deactivate them."

Furby owners have also been warned about taking the toys near sensitive hospital equipment, known to react to cellphones.

An Internet site for Furby fans poured scorn on the precautions. One fan said they would be no threat unless left in control of the plane itself.