Tensions in the Middle East are escalating following an Israeli-suspected attack that led to the explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to members of Hezbollah, killing at least 37 and injuring thousands across Lebanon.
The militant group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, described the incident as a “declaration of war,” while both Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged rocket fire into each other’s territory.
Hezbollah launched a series of rockets strikes in retaliation over the border. In retaliation, Israel launched air strikes on Beirut killing at least 31 people at the time of writing.
While some flights have been cancelled in recent months due to ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the scale of these latest air strikes threatens a larger disruption to international travel as airlines reassess their operations in the region.
What is the Government advice?
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urged British nationals to leave Lebanon following Israel’s air strikes in the country’s south.
Mr Lammy chaired an emergency COBRA meeting on Thursday where officials discussed plans to ensure the UK is prepared for any evacuation of British nationals in Lebanon.
In a statement on X, the Foreign Secretary expressed his concern over the rising tensions and civilian casualties in Lebanon, saying: “My message to British nationals in Lebanon is to leave while commercial options remain.”
He also emphasized that “tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly”.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning against all travel to Lebanon, citing the risks associated with the ongoing conflict between Israel, Hezbollah, and other non-state actors.
The British military has been on standby throughout the summer in preparation for any potential emergency evacuation of British nationals from Lebanon.
Two naval ships are stationed in the region and are ready to be deployed, while additional Royal Air Force personnel have been stationed in Cyprus to help with an evacuation.
South of the Lebanese border, UK citizens, including journalists, are blocked from entry into Gaza by Israeli forces. The FCDO also advises against travel to the West Bank.
The IDF has evacuated the southern part of Israel within five miles of the border with Lebanon where entry is prohibited, leading to around 60,000 Israeli citizens having to vacate their homes.
Travel warnings have long been in place for other Middle Eastern nations, including Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Yemen.
What flights have been affected?
Airlines have already suspended flights to Middle Eastern destinations following previous escalatory air strikes, but these latest attacks have led to an upsurge in cancellations to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport.
Air France-KLM cancelled its Paris flight to Tel Aviv early Friday, but Israeli media reports say the airline will resume its flights to Israel starting on Saturday.
The commercial director of the Air France group in Israel stated that the airline is “happy to return to full activity”.
According to Radarbox, a flight tracking tool, German airline Lufthansa’s flight from Munich to Tel Aviv and Austrian airlines from Vienna to Tel Aviv were all cancelled earlier on Friday.
Lufthansa Group — which includes Austrian Airlines — initially suspended its flights to Tel Aviv until 19 September, with a possible resumption depending on the security situation.
Bernard Lavelle, a principal consultant at BL Aviation Consulting told i: “The challenge for airlines is that the situation changes almost daily.
“BA is offering a flight option flying tomorrow to Tel Aviv, (with one stop) returning 24 September but that may change in the next few hours/days, as BA assesses the security situation.
“This makes it hard for airlines to plan schedules and for passengers who need to fly to Israel.”
Other airlines such as Ryanair, have cancelled all flights to Israel until at least 26 October, US carrier Delta Air Lines has suspended its New York-Tel Aviv route until 31 December, while Cathay Pacific has announced that flights to Tel Aviv will be cancelled until 17 March, 2025.
But not all airlines have cancelled their flights to Tel Aviv, with British Airways and El Al Israel Airlines, continuing to operate certain flights from London to Tel Aviv, while Wizz Air and Aegean Airlines are still flying to Tel Aviv.
Mr Lavelle adds: “If the troubles continue to escalate we can expect more cancellations and ‘route suspensions as airlines will keep the situation under review.”
At the time of writing, some regional airlines continue to operate flights to Beirut, including Middle East Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and FlyDubai – although this may be subject to change following the airstrike on Friday.
Air France cancelled its regular flight from Paris earlier Friday, while the only listed European airline still operating to Beirut is Cyprus Airways following a flight from Larnaca to Beirut earlier today, according to flight tracking tool Radarbox.
What to do if your flight is cancelled?
With the situation in the Middle East remaining highly volatile, travellers are advised to stay informed about the latest government travel advisories and any updates from airlines regarding ongoing service changes.
Mr Lavelle said: “Airlines rightly say, that the safety and security of their crew and passengers is their prime objective and the current turmoil in the Middle East, has led to flight cancellations and route suspensions.
“If your flight has been cancelled or the route suspended, then the airline has to offer you an alternative flight option to your destination or a full refund.
“If your flight is cancelled at short notice when you are due to fly back to the UK or to Israel, then the airline also needs to provide you with assistance/care such as refreshments, meals, hotel accommodation.
“If you have travelled to Israel as part of a package tour, then the tour operator has a duty to ‘repatriate’ you to the UK as quickly as possible and at no extra cost.”
However, for areas of the Middle East where the Foreign Office has issued a travel warning, Lavelle says, airlines are unlikely to compensate passengers as the events in the Middle East, would likely fall under “exceptional circumstances”.
Mr Lavelle adds: “It is unlikely that many people will be looking to go on holiday to the area currently given the situation and the FCO advises against travel to Gaza, the West bank and Northern Israel, as well as Syria and the Lebanon.
“If you choose to travel to these areas, against FCO advice, your travel insurance would not be valid.”
What happens if you’re in a country and are told to leave immediately?
As the Foreign Secretary warned earlier in the week, the situation in the Middle East “could deteriorate rapidly” and travel advice for some countries and visa requirements may change quickly.
British nationals in Lebanon were urged to leave the country “while commercial options remain” when the threat level increased following explosions across the country from Hezbollah’s handheld devices.
Similar government advice will likely be given again should UK citizens be urged to leave another Middle Eastern country with short notice.
The Foreign Office gave even more urgent evacuation orders during the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in Iran in August 2021 when UK nationals appeared to be in even more immediate danger.
British military airlifted 15,000 people from the country as Iran’s capital was ceased by the Taliban. Two naval ships and RAF aircraft are stationed near the region and could provide help to evacuate other countries should it be ordered by the Government.
Egypt and Jordan, two popular tourist destinations that border conflict zones, are largely considered safe. There are some areas in both countries that the Foreign Office advises not to travel – Egypt’s border with Libya and the Gaza crossing, and Jordan’s border with Syria – but these are relatively distant from tourism hotspots.
Other Middle Eastern countries including Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and other UAE states all remain largely safe to travellers. The FCDO does still warn of possible last-minute updates due to military activity in the region.
Turkey is also considered largely safe but the Foreign Office warns that “events in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories have led to heightened tensions in the region and demonstrations are ongoing in locations across Turkey”.
The conflict has caused large demonstrations outside embassies that have sometimes evolved into conflict in major cities – particularly Israel’s diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.
This post was originally published on here
