EgyptAir said flights would be cancelled 'until stability is restored'. EPA
EgyptAir said flights would be cancelled 'until stability is restored'. EPA
EgyptAir said flights would be cancelled 'until stability is restored'. EPA
EgyptAir said flights would be cancelled 'until stability is restored'. EPA

EgyptAir cancels flights to key Middle East cities amid Israel-Iran conflict


Kamal Tabikha
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Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Iran conflict

Egyptair has announced the cancellation of flights to Beirut, Amman, Baghdad, and Erbil until further notice, citing safety concerns amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

The airline said in a statement that the decision was made to prioritise the safety of passengers and crew as tensions in the region continue to rise.

"In light of the current events in the region and in the interest of the safety of our customers, Egyptair announces the cancellation of flights to the airports of Beirut, Amman, Baghdad, and Erbil until stability is restored. We urge affected passengers to review their bookings by contacting EgyptAir’s customer service centre," the statement read.

Israeli authorities said on Sunday that the country’s airspace remained closed for a third consecutive day following retaliatory missile strikes from Iran.

This comes after Israel launched a large-scale military campaign on Friday targeting Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership, an operation that has triggered deadly escalations across the Middle East.

Iran responded to Israel's strikes by firing hundreds of ballistic missiles into Israeli cities, destroying residential buildings and hitting near key infrastructure sites in Tel Aviv.

Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv remains closed, with authorities stating that reopening will require at least six hours' advance notice once it is deemed safe to resume operations.

However, Israel’s land borders with Jordan and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula remain open.

Israel’s national carrier, El Al Airlines, on Sunday cancelled flights to and from several destinations, including Tokyo and Moscow, until June 23 due to the continuing conflict.

Other global airlines, including Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Air India, have also suspended flights to the region or rerouted them over Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Turkey to avoid the volatile airspace.

The closures have disrupted global travel for thousands of passengers and increased operating costs for airlines due to longer flight routes and higher fuel consumption.

Several Israeli airlines moved their fleets to airports in Greece and Cyprus. Israeli airlines El Al, Israir, and Arkia began relocating their planes out of the country on Friday, hours after Iran's retaliation.

The planes were flown without passengers, according to a spokesperson for Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

Tank warfare

Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

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'Gold'

Director:Anthony Hayes

Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes

Rating:3/5

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes. 
Where to stay 
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.

Married Malala

Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.

The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.

Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.

Match info

Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4
(Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)

Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

Updated: June 18, 2025, 11:46 AM