More Beirut airport flights cancelled or delayed after Golan Heights attack

Several European carriers have suspended services, and Lebanon's Middle East Airlines announces delays as retaliation fears grow

Several airlines have delayed or cancelled flights to Beirut amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Reuters

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Aegean Airlines has become the latest carrier to cancel flights to Lebanon amid rising tensions in the region.

The national airline of Greece has grounded all flights to and from Beirut airport until at least Thursday citing “the current situation in the Middle East”.

Air France has also cancelled flights between Paris and the Lebanese capital after Israel vowed retaliation following an attack on Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Several countries have also issued travel warnings following the incident. On Monday, the British Embassy in Beirut said on X that it was “advising British nationals to leave Lebanon and not to travel to the country”.

US travellers faced similar advice via the US embassy in Lebanon, which reminded citizens to reconsider travel to the country at this time, and to be aware that flight itineraries could change with little warning.

On Monday, some airlines cancelled or delayed flights to and from Beirut airport.

Swiss International Air Lines, Eurowings and Lufthansa were among the first to suspend flights to and from Lebanon as tensions in the region escalated.

“Due to the current developments in the Middle East, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group have decided to suspend their flights to Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport up to and including August 5,” the German airline group said.

“A total of five rotations will be removed from the flight programme.”

Lebanon's Middle East Airlines announced changes to its flight schedule, citing that disruptions were related to “insurance risks”. Flights from Dubai, London, Doha, Kuwait and Jeddah were impacted on Tuesday.

On Monday, 12 Middle East Airlines flights to and from Beirut airport were delayed including to destinations in France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Iraq.

“Due to technical reasons related to the distribution of insurance risks for aircraft between Lebanon and other destinations, Middle East Airlines also announces additional changes to some of its flights on July 29,” the airline said on Monday.

The disruptions come after the Lebanese airline delayed evening flights scheduled to land at the airport on Sunday, rescheduling them to land on Monday morning instead.

Return flights from London, Copenhagen, Doha, Dammam, Dubai and Jeddah were impacted, with travellers booked on the flights able to change their bookings free of charge.

UAE airlines operating Beirut flights as normal

Beirut international airport, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon. Reuters

UAE airlines continue to operate flights to Lebanon as normal.

“Our flights to Beirut are operating to schedule,” a flydubai representative said on Monday morning. A representative for Etihad Airways also confirmed to The National that flights to Lebanon from Abu Dhabi are flying as scheduled.

The rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday has escalated concerns of a wider spread war in the region.

Earlier this month, Lufthansa suspended night flights to and from Beirut, citing “current developments” in the Middle East.

Last month, several countries called for citizens to leave Lebanon, amid rising tensions between the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel, raising fears of a war.

Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, North Macedonia and Kuwait have all issued advice urging citizens to leave the country.