The head of the Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies, Jean Abboud, revealed in a statement today a “significant decline in the activity at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, with around 14 airlines suspending their flights to Lebanon due to the ongoing security and military developments in the country,” noting that the decline ranges between 30% and 40%.
Abboud listed the airlines that have halted their flights to Lebanon, including: Tarom, Kuwait Airways, Saudia, Lufthansa, Sun Express, Swissair, Air France, Transavia, Turkish Airlines, and Cyprus Airways.
He pointed out that “Turkish Airlines suspended its flights to Beirut 4 or 5 days ago” and that “Cyprus Airways will resume its flights to Beirut either today or tomorrow after previously suspending them.”
Abboud also mentioned that “Ethiopian Airlines had previously reduced its flights to Lebanon from three to one.”
“Airlines like Etihad, Royal Jordanian, Qatar Airways, EgyptAir, and Emirates have reduced their daily flights from three to two,” he added. However, “Flydubai and Air Arabia are still operating flights to Lebanon.”
Abboud confirmed that “Middle East Airlines (MEA) is doing an extraordinary job, adding extra flights to fill the gap left by other airlines that have suspended flights to Lebanon.” He highlighted that MEA continues to operate flights on all routes and destinations, and following Turkish Airlines’ suspension, it increased the number of flights to Turkey and Istanbul.
Regarding air travel through Beirut Airport, Abboud stated that “the situation is being managed on a day-by-day basis, depending on security developments and information, which determine whether flights are suspended or operated.” He pointed out that two days ago, after an Emirates flight had taken off en route to Lebanon, it was redirected back to its point of origin. The same happened with a Qatar Airways flight.
Abboud stressed that “the airlines that have suspended flights to Lebanon have done so until October, while other airlines make daily decisions on whether to fly to Lebanon based on the circumstances. However, it can be confirmed that many have reduced their flights.” He emphasized that “MEA is covering the shortage in flights.”
