UAE airlines suspend Lebanon flights over safety fears

Dubai: Several UAE airlines have suspended flights to Beirut as Israel and Hezbollah continue to trade waves of airstrikes.

Budget carrier Flydubai has canceled flights to and from Beirut scheduled for the 24th and 25th of September. A Flydubai spokesperson informed that “passengers with existing bookings will be contacted regarding their rebooking or refund options.” All travelers are advised to contact the airline’s call center to facilitate alternate travel arrangements. Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways also suspended flights to and from Beirut on September 24. The affected flights are EY535 from Abu Dhabi to Beirut (BEY) and EY538 from Beirut to Abu Dhabi.

Etihad told that they are in close contact with local authorities in Lebanon and are closely monitoring the situation. The luxury carrier urges passengers to seek timely updates by visiting etihad.com or through the mobile app.

Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, is yet to issue an official statement. But flights EK953 and EK957, scheduled on September 24 and 25, are marked canceled ‘due to operational reasons’. 

Last week the airline said it would “follow instructions by the authorities of the respective countries with regards to carrying pagers and walkie-talkies.” This announcement broke hours after the second wave of explosions in Lebanon on September 18, 2024.

UAE airlines suspending flights to and from Lebanon marks the first direct consequence of the war in the Middle East on the UAE.

-B