Major airlines cut flights to Middle East cities following upturn in violence 

Several major international airlines have announced an immediate suspension of flights to various destinations in the Middle East following a deadly attack in Lebanon on September 18, 2024, which killed eight people and injured hundreds more following explosions allegedly targeting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. 

Airlines within the Lufthansa Group of airlines announced an immediate suspension of all flights to and from Tel Aviv (Israel) and Tehran (Iran) following the attacks – a move that other carriers have since followed.  

Aa Lufthansa Group statement said, “Given the recent changes in the security situation, Lufthansa Group airlines have decided to suspend all flights to and from Tel Aviv and Tehran with immediate effect. The suspension will remain in place until September 19, 2024.  

“During this period, all Lufthansa Group airlines will also avoid Israeli and Iranian airspace. We are closely monitoring the situation and will reassess in the coming days,” the airline added. 

It was only earlier in September 2024 that Lufthansa extended its suspension of flights to Beirut until October 15, 2024, following the upscaling of tensions.  

Other airlines, including Air France and British Airways, have also suspended flights to and from Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv due to the potential for further escalation in the next 24 to 48 hours. Air France has also canceled flights to Beirut as a result of the increasing tensions in the region. 

Mathieu Marquer / ShutterstockThe attacks in Lebanon involved the pagers of several alleged Hezbollah militants exploding spontaneously. Hezbollah has accused Israel of being behind the attacks, further escalating tensions between the two nations.  

“Due to the security situation at the destinations, Air France is suspending its connections from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Beirut, and Tel Aviv until September 19, 2024, inclusive,” said Air France in a statement.  

The carrier said it would be “evaluating the situation daily” in the Middle East and has stated: “The safety of our customers and crews is the absolute priority”. The French airline had already previously suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut over the increasing tensions between Israel and the Hezbollah group in recent weeks. 

The Lufthansa Group, whose carriers include SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, has been continually making changes to its operations schedules to various locations throughout the Middle East in recent months due to the heightened tensions in the region. It remains unclear at this point as to whether other carriers will follow the lead set by Lufthansa Group, Air France, and British Airways by withdrawing services.  

As the world waits to see whether Hezbollah responds to the pager attacks and what form such retaliation might take, the world’s airlines, along with their insurers, will be keeping a very close eye on any developments  

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