UAE-Lebanon travel: Airlines cancel flights to Beirut amid Israel-Hezbollah tensions

Passengers booked on these services are being assisted with travel arrangements, the airline said

Published: Tue 24 Sep 2024, 5:01 PM

Updated: Tue 24 Sep 2024, 11:11 PM

By
Web Desk

Photo: Reuters file

A number of UAE airlines have suspended flight operations to Beirut amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates cancelled flights between Dubai and Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday. These include:

September 24: EK953/954
September 25: EK957/958
September 25: EK953/954

“Customers transiting through Dubai to Beirut will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until 26th September 2024," Emirates said on Tuesday.

Customers travelling on the impacted flights from Dubai to Beirut are being rebooked and will receive notifications. Alternatively, customers can view their updated booking on Emirates website.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation in Lebanon and are in contact with the relevant authorities regarding developments and will provide updates as required,” Emirates said.

Flydubai also grounded its Beirut flights scheduled on September 24 and 25.

"Passengers with existing bookings will be contacted regarding their rebooking or refund options," a Flydubai spokesperson said on Tuesday. Travellers are advised to contact the airline's call centre or their respective agents for arrangements.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways also cancelled its services to and from Beirut for Tuesday, September 24.

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Flights affected are EY535 from Abu Dhabi to Beirut (BEY) and EY538 from Beirut to Abu Dhabi. Guests booked on these services are being assisted with their travel arrangements.

Etihad is monitoring the situation across the region and continues to maintain close contact with authorities. More information is available by calling the Etihad Airways Contact Centre on +971 600 555 666 (UAE), by visiting etihad.com or the mobile app.

Israeli air strikes on Lebanon killed at least 492 people on Monday, including 35 children, Lebanon's health ministry said. The cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah began last October after Hamas and other Palestinian militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israel.

Earlier, UAE carriers clarified that they would follow the instructions issued by the authorities of the respective countries with regards to carrying pagers and walkie-talkies. The clarification followed after hand-held radios that were carried by Hezbollah members exploded, resulting in death and injuries of multiple people.

A flydubai spokesperson said the carrier "follows all directives issued by the local authorities".

Etihad Airways, in a statement, said: “Etihad Airways is currently operating its normal flight schedule to and from Beirut. We monitor all global security situations minute by minute. Safety is always our highest priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so."

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