UAE airlines have further extended their flight cancellations to Beirut in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Dubai-based Emirates Airlines has now suspended its Beirut flights until November 30, citing the continued strikes on Lebanese territories. Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has also extended its flight suspensions to and from Beirut until November 7 due to the ongoing security concerns in the region.
The Israeli military warned residents in Baalbek and nearby villages in eastern Lebanon on October 30 to evacuate as they prepared to target Hezbollah locations. This added to the security concerns affecting flight operations in the area.
Previous Flight Suspensions
Earlier, Emirates had cancelled its Beirut operations until October 31 due to instability in Lebanon. The airline confirmed that passengers traveling to or from Beirut will not be allowed to board at their point of origin if transiting through Dubai. Emirates has urged affected passengers to reach out to booking agents or customer service for assistance with rebooking or refunds.
Etihad Airways also extended its flight suspensions to Beirut, initially announcing cancellations until October 11, and then again until October 24. Passengers transiting through Abu Dhabi with final destinations in Beirut are not permitted to travel unless they have arranged onward transportation independently.
Both Emirates and Etihad made statements saying, “We continue to closely monitor the situation in Lebanon and are coordinating with relevant authorities. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our primary concern, and we regret any inconvenience caused by these cancellations.”
Additionally, flydubai has cancelled its flights between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Beirut until October 31. “We are watching the situation closely and will make adjustments to our flight schedule as needed,” a flydubai spokesperson said in a statement.
flydubai had previously suspended Dubai-Beirut flights through October 7 but has continued extending suspensions as the situation escalates. The airline advises passengers with existing bookings to contact the flydubai Contact Centre, travel shops, or travel agents for rebooking or refund options. flydubai emphasized that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.
Sharjah-based Air Arabia also extended its flight suspensions to Beirut until October 31, following initial cancellations up to September 29.
Current Situation in Lebanon
These flight suspensions align with the escalating violence in Lebanon, where at least 72 people were reported killed and 223 injured in recent airstrikes on Wednesday, according to Lebanese health ministry data compiled by Reuters. The Israeli military reported hitting approximately 75 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight, including ammunition depots belonging to the Lebanese armed group.
The United States, France, and several other allies have urged for a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border. This appeal followed intense discussions at the United Nations on Wednesday, where international leaders also advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza.
