What it is about
Several European and Middle Eastern airlines have canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut due to escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The latest cancellations come from airlines like British Airways, Wizz, Lot, and AZAL, driven by security concerns and regional conflicts.
Why it matters
These flight suspensions highlight the rising regional instability impacting civilian travel and commerce. Understanding the nuances and reasons behind these cancellations offers a glimpse into the broader geopolitical scenario and Israel’s security measures.
Details
On Tuesday, British Airways, Hungary-based low-cost carrier Wizz, Poland’s flagship Lot, and Azerbaijan’s AZAL canceled services to and from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. AZAL cited “recent events and security concerns in Israel” as the reason for canceling its flights between Baku and Tel Aviv.
Airlines Prioritizing Safety
British Airways announced the suspension of flights until September 26, emphasizing that “safety is always our top priority.” Lot mentioned that it is continuously analyzing the safety of their operations.
Wizz has not yet commented on the situation.
Broader Impact
The four airlines join a growing list of carriers that have ceased flights to Israel, including Air India, KLM, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, EasyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling. More flights to Lebanon have been halted as well, adding to the region’s travel disruption.
Israel’s Strong Defensive Measures
Lufthansa, initially planning to resume flights on Tuesday, extended its suspension until October 14, with Beirut flights canceled until October 26 due to the conflict.
In response to over 200 rockets fired by Hezbollah on Monday and another 100 on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out sorties against 1,600 targets in Lebanon, aiming to destroy missile-hiding strongholds of the Iran-backed terror group.
Readiness of Other Airlines
In addition, Gulf-based carriers such as Emirates, Flydubai, and Etihad Airways suspended flights to Beirut. Qatar Airways, known for its extensive service to the Lebanese capital, canceled flights until September 25, placing passenger safety first.
The Road Ahead
Carriers continue to observe the situation closely and plan future actions accordingly. Lufthansa, Air France, and Delta, among others, have adopted a similar cautious approach, closely monitoring regional developments.
Meanwhile, Middle East Airlines, the Lebanese flagship carrier, reported overbooked flights due to the sudden demand surge caused by these cancelations.
Bottom Line
With mounting rocket exchanges and regional turmoil, the imperative for airlines and nations involved is clear – ensuring the safety and security of passengers and operations remains paramount.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.