DOHA, Qatar: Qatar Airways announced on Tuesday that it has suspended all flights to and from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport until September 25, in light of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
The airline emphasized that the safety of its passengers is its highest priority, reflecting growing concerns over the ongoing violence in the region.
The decision follows a significant increase in hostilities, with Israeli airstrikes reportedly killing at least 492 people in Lebanon on Monday, including 35 children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. These cross-border exchanges, which have intensified since last October’s unprecedented attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants on Israel, have raised alarms across the international community.
In addition to Qatar Airways, several other airlines, including Germany’s Lufthansa, Air France, and Delta Air Lines, have also suspended their flights to Beirut in recent days. This trend underscores the broader implications of the conflict, as airlines reassess safety protocols in light of the deteriorating situation. Last week, Qatar Airways had already implemented a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on its Beirut flights following deadly explosions attributed to communication devices.
