Lebanon national carrier halves flights amid fears of Israel war

Lebanon national carrier halves flights amid fears of Israel war

Lebanon's Middle East Airlines (MEA) planes are parked on the tarmac of Beirut International Airport amid restrictions to combat the coronavirus across the country on March 19, 2020. Lebanon urged people to stay at home for two weeks and closed the main airport to stem a novel coronavirus outbreak.
Lebanon's Middle East Airlines (MEA) planes are parked on the tarmac of Beirut International Airport amid restrictions to combat the coronavirus across the country on March 19, 2020. Lebanon urged people to stay at home for two weeks and closed the main airport to stem a novel coronavirus outbreak.. Photo: ANWAR AMRO / AFP
Source: AFP

Lebanon's national carrier Friday said it was cutting more than half of its flights as tensions along the border with Israel prompted more Western countries to warn against travel to Lebanon.

Since a Hamas attack on October 7 triggered war between Israel and the Gaza-based militants, the Lebanese-Israel border has seen near daily tit-for-tat incidents involving Lebanon's Hezbollah or Palestinian groups including Hamas.

At least 22 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, including four civilians, sparking fears of a wider escalation.

On Friday, Mohammad El-Hout, chairman of Middle East Airlines (MEA), said only eight of the company's 22 planes would operate as of next week, with the rest of the fleet relocated to other airports.

"More than half of the company's flights will be cancelled," Hout said during a televised interview from Beirut's airport, which was knocked out during the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah group.

Read also

Markets fall again and oil rises on Middle East, Fed fears

The decision came after changes to the company's insurance coverage following the October 7 Hamas attack, he said.

"Insurance companies began to worry two or three days after" the Hamas attack, he told reporters, explaining war risk coverage was reduced.

Other airlines, including Swiss International Air Lines and Germany's Lufthansa have already temporarily suspended Beirut flights, as Western countries urged their nationals to leave Lebanon.

On Friday, Belgium became the latest country to issue a Lebanon travel advisory, following similar moves by the United States, Britain, France, Australia, Canada and other nations.

"Due to the unpredictability of the situation, Belgians are asked to leave the country as quickly as possible," said a message posted on the embassy's website.

Israel has been pounding Gaza since October 7 when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel killing at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials.

Read also

Markets in retreat on growing fears of Middle East war

Since then, more than 4,100 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed in relentless Israeli bombardments, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.