Fearing an escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, after Saturday’s rocket attack on a football field in the Golan Heights killed at least 12 civilians, mainly children and teenagers, several airlines announced on Monday that they were suspending their operations to Lebanon.
The fear stems from Israel’s vow to avenge Saturday’s attack. The country has threatened to launch a military operation to make Hezbollah pay a heavy price. Among the airlines to suspend services to Lebanon are Lufthansa. The company will keep flights to Beirut suspended until August 5 as a precautionary measure.
Air France and Transavia France, have kept flights to the aforementioned destination suspended on Monday and Tuesday, as per a report from Xinhua news agency.
“The company constantly monitors developments in the geopolitical situation of the territories served and overflown by its aircraft to ensure the highest level of flight safety and security,” an Air France-KLM group spokesperson said. The group owns both the airlines.
Flights of Royal Jordanian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Aegean Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines to Beirut were also suspended.
Meanwhile, several countries, including the US and India, have issued travel advisory to Lebanon.
Advisory for Indian Nationals. pic.twitter.com/SuFyv23dhq
— India in Lebanon (@IndiaInLebanon) July 29, 2024
“The security environment in Lebanon remains complex and can change quicky. The U.S. Embassy also reminds U.S. citizens to review the current Travel Advisory, which strongly urges U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Lebanon,” said the US Embassy in Beirut.
