Paris — International airlines have in recent weeks suspended growing numbers of flights to Lebanon as tensions rise between the powerful militant group Hezbollah and Israel.
The suspensions have multiplied following a day of Israeli bombardment that Lebanon’s authorities said killed 558 on Monday — the country’s deadliest toll since a war between the longtime rivals in 2006.
United Arab Emirates-based Emirates announced the temporary suspension of its flights to Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday. Its sister airline flydubai also cancelled flights to Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday. “The safety of our crew and customers is of utmost importance and will not be compromised,” Emirates said in a statement.
Qatar Airways, which operates two flights a day to the Lebanese capital, also canceled 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,” it said in a statement.
Air France on Tuesday extended the suspension of its Beirut flights until October 1, which a spokesman told AFP was due to the “security situation”.
Flights to and from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, suspended by Air France last week, were operating “normally” after resuming at the weekend, the spokesman added.
Germany’s Lufthansa had already suspended Beirut flights until October 26.
But on Tuesday it also extended the suspension of flights to and from Israel’s Tel Aviv and Iranian capital Tehran up to and including October 14 in response to the tensions.
Lufthansa was continuing to “monitor the situation closely and will assess it further in the coming days”, it said on its website.
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 stabilizes.
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 the flag carrier Royal Jordanian.
Lebanon flights suspended as Hezbollah-Israel tensions continue to spiral out of control
- United Arab Emirates-based Emirates announced the temporary suspension of its flights to Beirut
- Air France on Tuesday extended the suspension of its Beirut flights until October 1
Today's Headlines
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
The Gulf country is setting a new benchmark for supporting working mothers by doubling the mandated maternity leave to 120 days, Kathryn Martin VFS Global tell TRENDS.
The Fourth of July is a sacred day in our country. A day of history, of hope, remembrance and resolve with promise and possibilities. Before me stands monuments of the…
The government would provide thirty-five percent of the investments The rest of it, sixty-five percent, will come from the private sector Saudi Arabia expects to generate $150 billion from investments…
PwC forecasts that AI could contribute US$320 billion to Middle Eastern economies by 2030, with healthcare predicted to see some of the largest gains relative to its current size
The region, fueled by ambition and massive investment, is rapidly advancing in technology and infrastructure, aiming to secure a leading role in the 4IR.