Etihad Airways and flydubai halt services to Israel and Lebanon due to rising regional tensions and airport closures.
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, announced the cancellation and diversion of flights to and from Israel and Lebanon on Sunday, citing escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The decision comes as tensions in the region rise, leading to the temporary closure of Israel’s main airport.
In an official statement, Etihad Airways confirmed the cancellation of its services to Tel Aviv and Beirut, emphasizing that the decision was made in response to “the closure of Tel Aviv airport and ongoing regional developments.” The affected flights include EY593 from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tel Aviv (TLV), EY594 from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi, EY535 from Abu Dhabi to Beirut (BEY), and EY538 from Beirut to Abu Dhabi.
Dubai-based airline flydubai also adjusted its operations, diverting its Dubai-Tel Aviv flight FZ 1245 to Ramon International Airport (ETM) on August 25 following the temporary closure of Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). “The return flight FZ 1246 has been canceled, and we are coordinating with passengers on their rebooking options,” a flydubai spokesperson stated. The airline is closely monitoring the situation and advising passengers to check flight statuses on their website for the latest updates.
These developments occurred after news reports confirmed that Israel had conducted targeted strikes in Lebanon to counter an imminent threat from Hezbollah. Following the strikes, Israel declared a 48-hour state of emergency at 0300 GMT (7 a.m. UAE time) on Sunday. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a large-scale attack with rockets and drones on Israel, responding to the death of one of its commanders in an Israeli strike.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, elaborated on the state of emergency, noting that it allows the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to issue directives to Israeli citizens, including restrictions on gatherings and the closure of certain sites. “The declaration enables the IDF to issue instructions to the citizens of Israel, including limiting gatherings and closing sites where it may be relevant,” Gallant said.
Despite the tensions, Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the resumption of flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday after a brief suspension.
This comes as Etihad Airways reported a 48% increased in profits to AED 851 million in H1 of 2024 with a strong commitment to growth an strategic network expansion and increased flight frequencies.
We are pleased to report a 48% increase in profits to AED 851 Million in the first half of 2024, with 8.7 million passengers carried over the same time period. We are committed to a continued focus on growth coupled with optimising operational efficiencies, strategic network… pic.twitter.com/QOWGAjNkId
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) August 9, 2024
Etihad Airways reiterated its commitment to passenger safety, stating that those booked on affected flights to Israel and Lebanon are being supported with alternative travel arrangements. “Etihad is monitoring the situation across the region and continues to maintain close contact with authorities,” the airline stated. “The safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority, and we regret any inconvenience caused by this cancellation.”
As the situation remains fluid, both airlines continue to monitor developments and adjust their operations accordingly, prioritizing the safety and well-being of their passengers and crew amid escalating regional conflict.
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