UAE airlines extend Beirut flight cancellations

The UAE’s national carriers have extended their flight cancellations to and from Beirut, with Emirates halting its operations until next year.

Emirates said in its most recent update that flights to and from Lebanon’s capital are cancelled until at least December 31.

"Customers with confirmed bookings on flydubai (FZ) with final destination Baghdad will be accepted for travel," Emirates said. 

The airline has also cancelled flights between the UAE and Baghdad until November 30. 

Etihad Airways extended its halt of operations in Beirut until at least December 1, while AirArabia has cancelled flights until at least December 31. 

The airlines said they are continuing to monitor the situation and request customers contact their booking agents for alternative travel options.

The sole remaining airline currently flying in and out of Lebanon is MEA. 

Airport traffic has reportedly dropped to 30 per cent of its pre-war average, while MEA said it is operating only slightly fewer flights than its daily average of 45. However, those flights are typically departing Beirut full and returning two-thirds empty. 

The last war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 saw Israeli strikes almost immediately put the airport out of commission, bombing its fuel depots and runway. 

Several airlines initially cancelled flights to and from Beirut on September 24, when Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes. Since then, Israel has intensified its air raids, including near Rafic Hariri International Aiport, and launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon.

The intensification of attacks in late September came after nearly a year of exchanging cross-border fire with Hezbollah, leading to more than 60,000 Israelis leaving the northern border area. Netanyahu said the operations in Lebanon aim to restore security in the area for the return of those displaced. 

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli operations have killed at least 3,452 people and injured 14,664 others since October last year. 

On Tuesday,  the Lebanese government and Iran-backed Hezbollah agreed to a US ceasefire proposal, however, Israel has yet to respond. 

"I came back because we have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end," Hochstein told a press conference after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. "It is now within our grasp. As the window is now, I hope the coming days yield a resolute decision."

The envoy's latest trip to the region is a last-ditch effort to secure a ceasefire before the end of Biden's administration.