BEIRUT: Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport was operating on Sunday but experienced significant disruptions as many flights were cancelled or delayed after Israel and Hezbollah announced broad strikes in an escalation of cross-border hostilities.
Passengers reported considerable frustration as flights were abruptly cancelled or rescheduled. Elham Shukair, a traveler heading to the United States via Jordan, arrived at the airport at 4:30 am (0130 GMT) for her 8:00 am flight, only to be informed of its cancellation.
Seated on her bag in the arrivals hall, Shukair said she booked another flight with Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines in hopes of reaching Amman to catch her onward connection.
The current escalation follows intensified exchanges between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. On Sunday, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon, claiming the action was aimed at thwarting a significant Hezbollah attack.
In response, Hezbollah launched cross-border strikes, stating they were avenging the killing of a top commander, Fuad Shukr, in an Israeli strike last month.
The deteriorating situation has triggered memories of the 2006 Lebanon War, during which Israel targeted Beirut Airport, Lebanon’s only international passenger facility. The renewed violence has raised concerns that the current hostilities could evolve into a broader conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, potentially affecting regional stability.
Several airlines have suspended or cancelled their flights to and from Beirut. Air France announced it was halting flights to Beirut scheduled for Sunday and Monday, with a possibility of extending the suspension based on the evolving situation.
Royal Jordanian Airlines and the UAE’s Etihad Airways also confirmed the suspension of their services to the Lebanese capital. German airline Lufthansa had previously extended its suspension of flights to Beirut until September 30.
So far, Lufthansa, Ryanair, American Airlines, Air India, Air France, flydubai, and Etihad are among the airlines that have cancelled, suspended, or diverted flights bound for Beirut and/or Ben-Gurion. In late July, several airlines announced they were temporarily suspending operations to Beirut due to the tensions and fighting in the area.
Despite these disruptions, Lebanon’s civil aviation authority assured the public that the airport remains operational. In a statement carried out by the official National News Agency, the authority emphasized that “the airport is functioning normally” and dismissed rumours that all flights had been cancelled.
