Flights to and from Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport were severely disrupted on Monday as tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah intensified. This escalation follows a recent rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that resulted in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers, heightening fears of a broader conflict.
Air France announced the suspension of its flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Beirut for July 29 and 30, 2024, citing the current security situation. The airline stated that it is closely monitoring developments in Lebanon. Lufthansa, along with its subsidiaries Swiss and Eurowings, has suspended all flights to and from Beirut until at least August 5 due to the escalating conflict. Other airlines including Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, and Greek carrier Aegean Airlines also canceled flights scheduled to land in Beirut.
Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA) reported that disruptions were primarily due to insurance-related risks, reflecting the broader impact of the ongoing conflict on aviation and other sectors. The rocket attack in the Golan Heights has raised concerns of a potential full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite Hezbollah’s denial of responsibility for the attack, Israel’s security cabinet has authorized a response, adding to the overall tension.
The airport, Lebanon’s only international gateway, has a history of being affected by regional conflicts, including the Lebanese civil war and previous skirmishes with Israel. The recent conflict, which has seen increased cross-border exchanges of fire, has further disrupted regional travel, including flights and shipping routes.
The situation remains fluid as Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue their exchanges, with the potential for further disruptions and escalation in the near future.
