Erbil International Airport sees reduced travel to Lebanon amid Israel-Hezbollah conflict
Ahmed Hoshyar, Director of Erbil International Airport, told Kurdistan24 on Thursday that although four weekly flights are scheduled between Erbil and Lebanon, passenger numbers have dropped significantly.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has led to significant disruptions across the region, with thousands of Lebanese displaced from Syria and warnings from humanitarian organizations of further displacement if hostilities continue. Amid the turmoil, air travel between Lebanon and international destinations has been severely impacted, including flights between Erbil and Beirut.
Contrary to full suspension, flights from Lebanon to Erbil International Airport have continued uninterrupted. However, the Kurdistan Region’s residents have largely stopped traveling to Lebanon due to concerns over the deteriorating security situation.
Ahmed Hoshyar, Director of Erbil International Airport, told Kurdistan24 on Thursday that although four weekly flights are scheduled between Erbil and Lebanon, passenger numbers have dropped significantly. He explained that flights from Lebanon to Erbil remain operational, but outbound flights from Erbil to Lebanon have seen little to no passengers as people are reluctant to travel given the ongoing conflict.
On Tuesday, French airlines Air France and Transavia suspended flights to Lebanon until Oct. 1, while Germany's Lufthansa halted services until later in October. Additionally, aviation authorities in Jordan and Egypt also suspended flights to the country.
While flights are still operational, the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has dampened travel activity, leaving Lebanon more isolated as the situation remains unstable.