Various international airlines have suspended flights to the Middle East since the breakout of the Israel – Hezbollah conflict this summer. With no resolution in sight and continued bombing in the region, existing suspensions have been extended and more airlines have also decided to halt services.
With the Jewish High Holy Days season underway, the aviation cancellations are likely to cause widespread disruption. The Israel Airports Authority has attempted to issue reassurances that Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion Airport is operating normally for both takeoffs and landings.
Meanwhile, a source at Lebanese flag carrier Middle East Airlines reported its flights were completely booked up for days ahead. “Our flights are all overbooked because of the cancellations of other airlines,” the source told AFP. “There is not a single seat available for any destination before Sunday.”
Beirut Airport is almost empty as most international airlines have suspended flights due to rising tensions. Only MEA, Iraqi, and Iranian airlines continue to operate. Governments are urging their nationals to leave Lebanon. #BeirutAirport #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/pQxV066cwk
— British Pakistani Index (@PakistaniIndex) September 25, 2024
Which airlines have suspended flights?
At the time of writing, the airlines temporarily cancelling flights to the region include:
- UAE-based Air Arabia: suspended Sharjah and Abu Dhabi flights to Beirut on 24 September.
- Air France: suspended all Beirut flights until 1 October, but has resumed flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport.
- Azerbaijan Airlines: no longer flying to Tel Aviv.
- British Airways: suspended routes to Tel Aviv for an initial 48-hours until 26 September.
- Egypt’s national airline, Egyptair: stopped all flights to Beirut until it assesses the tensions have calmed.
- Emirates: suspended flights to Beirut on 24 and 25 September.
- Etihad Airways, the UAE national airline: cancelled Abu Dhabi to Beirut flights as of 25 September.
- Flydubai: cancelled flights to Beirut on 24 and 25 September.
- Poland’s flagship, Lot: suspended flights to Tel Aviv, while “constantly analyzing the safety of LOT Polish Airlines’ operations.”
- Lufthansa Group (Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa and Swiss Airlines): not flying to Beirut until 26 October and has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, as well as routes serving the Iranian capital, Tehran, up to and including 14 October. The group said it would “monitor the situation closely and will assess it further in the coming days”.
- Türkiye’s Pegasus: suspended flights to Beirut on 24 September.
- Qatar Airways: temporarily suspended flights to and from Beirut until September 25.
- Royal Jordanian Airlines: suspended flights to Beirut until further notice.
- Wizz Air: temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv and to Amman, Jordan.
Other previous cancellations of flights to Israel and Lebanon have been announced by Air India, Delta Air Lines, EasyJet, KLM, RyanAir, United Airlines and Vueling.
