Security

Lufthansa extends flight suspension to Middle East amid regional tensions

The suspension, initially set to end on August 21, has now been prolonged until Monday, August 26.

A Lufthansa aircraft rolls on a bridge over a railway line in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. German Lufthansa airline and the train drives union GDL called for strikes starting on Thursday. (Photo: AP/Michael Probst)
A Lufthansa aircraft rolls on a bridge over a railway line in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. German Lufthansa airline and the train drives union GDL called for strikes starting on Thursday. (Photo: AP/Michael Probst)
World Flight Suspension Lufthansa Israel-Hamas conflict Regional Escalation Regional Instability

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The German airline group Lufthansa has extended its suspension of flights to several Middle Eastern destinations, including Erbil, due to ongoing tensions in the region.

The suspension, initially set to end on August 21, has now been prolonged until Monday, August 26.

In a statement released on Monday, Lufthansa announced that all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman, and Erbil will remain grounded during this period. Additionally, the airline has decided to continue avoiding the airspace over Iraq and Iran until the same date, citing safety concerns due to the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

Lufthansa, along with its subsidiaries SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, and Eurowings, is offering passengers with tickets until August 31 the option to cancel their flights free of charge. The suspension applies to both cargo and passenger flights across the entire airline group.

The decision comes amid fears that the ongoing conflict could extend beyond the Gaza Strip, further destabilizing the Middle East. Lufthansa's cautious approach underscores the uncertainty surrounding the situation and the potential risks associated with operating flights in the affected areas.