Lufthansa, Europe's leading airline, has announced an extension of its flight suspension to the Middle East until 26 August due to escalating conflict risks in the region.
The German airline group's Belgian subsidiary, Brussels Airlines, has taken similar action with its flights to Tel Aviv in Israel. The group, encompassing brands such as Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian Airlines, stated that this measure affects services to airports in Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman, and Erbil, and also includes crossing Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
The suspension was initially set to run until Wednesday 21 August.
Flights to Beirut in Lebanon were suspended by the Lufthansa group at the end of July, following a deadly rocket attack in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights annexed by Israel. The attack was attributed to Hezbollah by the Israeli State, with several flight suspensions announced since.
These tensions between Israel and Iran could potentially lead to a broader war well beyond the Gaza Strip.
Lufthansa is offering free cancellations to travellers holding tickets up until 31 August.
The flight restrictions apply to all airline group companies, for both cargo and passenger flights.
