Several airlines canceled flights to and from Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday in light of the ongoing regional situation, News.Az reported citing Gulf Today.
Emirates
Emirates Airlines has cancelled its scheduled flights between Dubai and Beirut for September 24 and 25. According to data provided by the airline, this is due to developments following a series of Israeli attacks targeting several areas in Lebanon, which have resulted in more than 500 deaths and injuries and tens of thousands of displaced people.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways announced that it would cancel all scheduled flights to and from Beirut on Tuesday, September 24, in response to the security situation in the region.
The affected flights are flight EY535, departing Abu Dhabi and arriving in Beirut, and flight EY538, departing Beirut and arriving in Abu Dhabi.
Guests who have booked these services will be offered assistance in making alternative travel arrangements.
Etihad Airways is closely monitoring the situation across the region and is in close contact with the relevant authorities.
FlyDubai
A flydubai spokesperson said the airline was cancelling flights between Dubai International Airport and Beirut International Airport on September 24 and 25. The decision was taken in light of the current situation.
A spokesman said travellers with existing bookings were being contacted with information about rebooking or refund options.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has announced that it is cancelling its scheduled flights between Sharjah and Beirut and between Abu Dhabi and Beirut on September 24, citing the current situation.
An Air Arabia spokesperson said passengers with existing bookings have been provided with information about their rebooking options, and are encouraged to contact the airline’s call centre for the latest updates.
“We apologise to passengers for the inconvenience caused by today’s cancellations,” it added.
Lebanese health officials on Tuesday raised the death toll from two days of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah members to 558.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials in the Gaza Strip said at least 24 people were killed in new Israeli attacks.
The Israeli army has said it will “do whatever is necessary” to drive Hezbollah from the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday, killing around 500 people and wounding more than 1,600.
Thousands of people have fled southern Lebanon, clogging up key roads to Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
It’s a staggering death toll for a country still recovering from last week’s deadly attack on its communications equipment, which Lebanon blames on Israel, which has neither admitted nor denied responsibility.
News.AZ