Lebanon Flights Suspended Amid Hezbollah-Israel Tensions

As tensions between the powerful Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and Israel escalate, an increasing number of international airlines have halted flights to Lebanon in recent weeks.

The restrictions have increased following a day of Israeli bombardment on Monday, which Lebanon’s authorities say killed 558 people, the country’s highest death toll since a war between the longtime foes in 2006.

Emirates
United Arab Emirates-based Emirates announced a temporary suspension of its flights to Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday. Its sibling airline, flydubai, also canceled flights to Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The safety of our crew and customers is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised,” Emirates stated in a statement.

Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, which operates two flights per day to the Lebanese capital, has also halted services for two days.

“Due to the ongoing situation in Lebanon, Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport until September 25,” according to a press release.

Air France has prolonged the suspension of flights to Beirut until October 1 owing to a “security situation,” according to a spokesperson.

Flights to and from Tel Aviv, which had been suspended by Air France last week, were now functioning “normally” after resuming over the weekend, according to the spokesperson.

Lufthansa
Lufthansa had already canceled flights to Beirut until October 26.

However, in reaction to the tensions, it prolonged the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Tehran, Iran, until October 14.

Lufthansa was continuing to “monitor the situation closely and will assess it further in the coming days”, it said on its website.

EgyptAir

Egypt’s state-owned flag carrier likewise said in a statement it was suspending all its flights to Beirut on Tuesday until the situation in Lebanon stabilises.

Jordanian airlines

All flights by Jordanian airlines to Beirut have been suspended until further notice in light of increasing regional tensions, the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission said on Monday.

The suspension notably affects flag carrier Royal Jordanian.

AFP