The Middle East is experiencing a surge in violence, leading to disruptions in travel and raising concerns for global safety. Following a series of airstrikes that rocked the region on Friday, flights to key destinations like Tel Aviv and Beirut have been cancelled.
At Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, travelers were seen lining up as outgoing flights were halted for two hours on September 2nd, 2024, due to a general strike following the deaths of hostages held in Gaza. The strikes have severely impacted flight schedules in and out of the area, prompting airlines to reassess their operations and raising concerns about broader disruptions to global travel.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated after an Israeli-suspected attack resulted in significant explosions, killing at least 37 Hezbollah members and injuring thousands in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has declared this a “declaration of war,” with both sides launching retaliatory attacks.
While flight suspensions have occurred due to prior incidents, this recent escalation threatens a much larger disruption to global travel. In response to the escalating situation, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has urged British nationals to leave Lebanon following the recent airstrikes.
An emergency COBRA meeting was convened to discuss plans for a potential evacuation of UK citizens. Lammy’s message to British nationals in Lebanon was clear: “My advice to British nationals in Lebanon is to leave while commercial flights are still available.” The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a travel warning against all trips to Lebanon and the surrounding areas.
Several airlines have responded swiftly to the unfolding events, cancelling flights to Middle Eastern destinations. Despite the cancellations, some airlines like British Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, Wizz Air, and Aegean Airlines continue to operate flights to Tel Aviv. Flights to Beirut remain operational from regional airlines like Middle East Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and FlyDubai, although this may change depending on future developments.
Travelers are advised to stay informed about airline announcements and government travel advisories. If your flight is cancelled, airlines are required to offer alternative travel options or provide refunds. If cancellations occur while you are abroad, assistance such as meals or hotel accommodations must be provided by the airline.
It’s crucial to remember that if you are traveling against Foreign Office advice, your travel insurance may not be valid. Should the situation worsen, UK nationals may receive evacuation orders. The British military remains on standby with two naval ships and RAF personnel stationed in Cyprus. Similar procedures were enacted during the fall of Kabul in 2021 when 15,000 people were airlifted out.
Despite the growing instability, popular tourist destinations in the region such as Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE remain largely safe, although caution is advised near conflict zones like Egypt’s border with Libya and Jordan’s border with Syria.
