German airline group Lufthansa announced on Sunday the suspension of flights to several destinations in the Middle East until at least Tuesday, citing the recent violence in the region. Flights to Amman, Erbil, and Tel Aviv will be halted until Tuesday, while flights to Beirut and Tehran will remain suspended until at least Thursday. This decision comes as part of the group’s ongoing evaluation of the security situation in the Middle East, with a commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
The suspension of flights follows a series of events, including a retaliatory Iranian attack on Israel, which prompted several Middle Eastern countries to close their airspace and divert flights. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed launching a drone and missile attack against Israel in response to a previous drone strike on its Damascus consulate.
Israel’s airport authority announced the closure of its airspace following reports of drones launched from Iranian territory. Jordan also temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing, and transit aircraft, while Lebanon and Iraq announced similar measures as precautionary steps. Kuwait Airways diverted incoming and outgoing flights away from areas of tension due to security concerns.
Israel’s El Al cancelled multiple flights, advising passengers not to travel to the Tel Aviv airport until further notice. Emirates Airline cancelled one Dubai-Amman flight but operated others. Air France and British Airways cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, with British Airways also scrapping a flight to Amman.
The situation underscores the complexities and challenges faced by airlines operating in regions affected by geopolitical tensions and security risks. Safety remains the top priority for airlines, leading to precautionary measures and flight adjustments in response to evolving situations.
