In response to the escalating tensions in the Middle East, The Lufthansa Group announced that it will temporarily suspend its night flights to and from Beirut until July 31st.
Effective June 29, this change impacts both Lufthansa Group’s network of airlines; Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, which have moved their night operations to daytime.
Swiss International Airlines attributed the schedule alterations to political developments along the Lebanon-Israel border, although neither airline elaborated on the specific threats involved.
Will fewer routes, airline ticket prices will get more expensive for travellers hoping to enjoy Lebanon’s summer season.
In March, the Lebanese government announced its intention to file an urgent complaint with the UN Security Council, accusing Israel of disrupting its navigation systems and endangering civil aviation safety over Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport.
Despite these claims, Swiss International Airlines clarified that their schedule changes are not related to potential GPS interference on flights to Beirut.
“Our pilots are trained to handle such situations, and our aircraft are equipped with multiple systems to ensure safety even if one system becomes unreliable,” stated a Swiss spokesperson. Noting that Lufthansa and Swiss Airlines resumed flights to Lebanon in December 2023.
