Middle East flights cancelled amidst growing threat of war

Several airlines are cancelling Middle East flights as recent attacks in Lebanon and Iran cause concern of an impending war.

According to the Canadian Press, Canada has been planning since October for a possible evacuation of its citizens, but the Canadian government has urged the 21,399 Canadians registered as being in Lebanon to leave.

“If you are in Lebanon, come back home,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly posted on X on Wednesday. “If tensions escalate, the situation on the ground may not allow us to help you, and you won't be able to leave.”

While the government sent military personnel to Lebanon and Cyprus in preparation of an evacuation, it says Canadians can’t rely on government evacuation flights if war breaks out in the country.

The Canadian government also noted on X that some airlines have already suspended service to Beirut.

They include Lufthansa, Swiss, Eurowings, Air France and KLM.

“Additional travel disruptions are likely,” it said, “including airspace closures and flight cancellations and diversions.”

Several American and European airlines — United Airlines, Delta, Lufthansa, British Airways and Austrian Airlines — have also cancelled flights to Tel Aviv.

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