Air France and Transavia extend suspension of flights to Beirut until Saturday “due to security situation”

The airlines Air France and Transavia France have decided to extend the suspension of their flights to Beirut, effective since July 29, until Saturday inclusive. “due to the security situation”announced their parent company, Air France-KLM, on Wednesday, July 31. On Tuesday afternoon, however, it had assured that its companies planned to resume services to Beirut on Wednesday, initially suspended on Monday amid fears of a military escalation between Israel and the Shiite movement Hezbollah.

But the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, killed on Wednesday in a strike blamed on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist movement and Iran, which have promised to avenge his death, raises fears of a flare-up in the region in the midst of a war in Gaza. According to Air France-KLM, “the resumption of operations [de vol] will be subject to a new assessment of the situation on site”.

“Commercial measures are in place, allowing customers with a reservation for flights to/from Beirut scheduled before August 11, 2024 inclusive to postpone or cancel their trip without charge”according to a spokesperson for the group. In addition to Air France and Transavia, several airlines have suspended flights to the Lebanese capital, including those of the German group Lufthansa until August 5.