Flights at Beirut airport have been cancelled or delayed, with Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA) attributing disruptions to its schedule to insurance risks amid escalating tensions between Israel and the armed political group Hezbollah. Lufthansa announced on Monday the suspension of five routes to and from Beirut operated by Swiss International Air Lines, Eurowings, and Lufthansa until July 30 as a precautionary measure.
Earlier today, an Israeli drone strike near the southern Lebanese town of Shaqra resulted in the death of two individuals and the injury of three, including a child, as reported by the Lebanese Civil Defence. The rescue service did not specify whether the casualties were combatants or civilians. This incident marked the first lethal Israeli strike on Lebanon following what Israel claimed to be a Hezbollah rocket attack on Saturday that resulted in 12 fatalities in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Hezbollah, in turn, denied involvement in the mentioned strike.
Israel’s Response and Flight Disruptions
Israel’s security cabinet recently granted the government authorization to retaliate against the strike, despite Hezbollah’s denial of responsibility for the attack, the deadliest within Israel or Israeli-annexed territory since the conflict initiated by Hamas’ assault. Notably, Beirut airport’s flight board and Flight tracking website Flightradar24 recorded the cancellation of two Turkish Airlines flights overnight on Sunday.
Several airlines, including SunExpress, AJet, Aegean Airlines, Ethiopian Air, and MEA, opted to cancel scheduled flights bound for Beirut on Monday, with the airlines refraining from immediate comments in response to inquiries.
Beirut Airport and Regional Tensions
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport stands as the sole airport in Lebanon, historically subject to targeting during the country’s civil strife and previous conflicts with Israel, including the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. MEA recently postponed the departure of certain flights intended for Beirut overnight, followed by subsequent delays linked to “technical reasons related to the distribution of insurance risks for aircraft between Lebanon and other destinations,” the airline revealed.
Heightened exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been noted since the commencement of the Gaza conflict, leading to flight disruptions and maritime challenges across the region. The ongoing conflict has impacted air travel and transportation, notably during reciprocal drone and missile assaults involving Israel and Iran in April. Lufthansa, acknowledging the prevailing circumstances in the Middle East, had earlier suspended night-time flights to and from Beirut for July.
Conclusion
The complex political landscape and military tensions in the Middle East have cast a shadow over aviation activities, specifically affecting flights to and from Beirut airport. As regional dynamics continue to evolve, travelers and airlines alike are urged to stay informed about developments impacting air travel to ensure safety and preparedness amidst uncertain times.
Stay tuned for further updates on the situation at Beirut airport and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
