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The war between Hezbollah and Israel has shifted gravely. The Middle East is in turmoil waiting for what seems to be a devastating all-out war. Diplomatic efforts to prevent a conflagration are relentless. Foreign embassies call on their nationals to “leave Lebanon immediately by taking any available flight.” The fear and apprehension are suffocating.
While the psychological war has reached its peak, expats, foreign nationals and Lebanese citizens who are fleeing the country face extreme complications. What is happening with these flights?
An expat who had booked a flight on Aug 11 on Cyprus Airways said she paid an acceptable price for four tickets, including luggage fees, but her flight was cancelled a day after, and she was rebooked on August 13.
Rebooking the flight all over again, was very costly as ticket prices increased four times from the initial price Originally, the four tickets cost 700 Euros, but starting August 13, the ticket price per person climbed to 390, excluding the luggage cost.
Another traveler, who is booked on Lebanon’s flag carrier, the Middle East Airlines (MEA), told This is Beirut that it was impossible to change the booking date before August 12, as all flights were fully booked.
MEA personnel argued in an interview with This is Beirut, that after most foreign airlines have canceled their flights to Beirut, there was a rush on bookings on MEA flights, filling all departures until the 12th. Even high-priced tickets in business class are no longer available, the personnel pointed out, but assured, however, that MEA’s daily flights are still operational.
A travel agency disputed claims that airline ticket prices have tripled, noting that low-priced tickets are no longer available, and what is left are the more expensive tickets.
Among the companies that are still operating flights to Beirut are Turkish Airlines, Egypt air and royal Jordanian. Air France and its low-cost affiliate, Transavia, have suspended flights until August 8.
Travel agents explain that airline ticket prices did not increase as a result of the rush on departing flights. In August, a high season for travel, prices are normally higher by 50 to 60% compared to low seasons.
Travelers with pre-paid tickets did not incur extra expenses for changing departure dates, but those purchasing tickets now are bound to pay prices higher by 70 to 75% than pre-paid tickets.
It is expected that visitors who came to Lebanon for the summer would have left by the end of August due to the growingly tense situation and fears of an expansion of the conflict.
Chamoun, a taxi driver, noted that the ride to Beirut airport has become a nightmare. Not only for security reasons, but because travelers ask him to wait at the departure hall, only to come back minutes later due to flight cancelations.
