Ethiopian Airlines Suspends Flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv Amid Middle East Conflict
Ethiopian Airlines has temporarily suspended its flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The war, which began a year ago after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in the fight for Palestinian independence, has since spread to Lebanon, leading many airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, to cancel flights to the region.
According to the airline’s announcement, all flights to Beirut have been canceled until further notice, and flights to Tel Aviv have been suspended until October 8, 2024.
The airline also emphasized that it is closely monitoring the situation in both areas and maintaining communication with relevant authorities.
Despite the escalating violence, the Ethiopian government has not yet evacuated any of its citizens from Lebanon, where tens of thousands of Ethiopians, primarily domestic and migrant workers, reside.
While the Ethiopian consulate in Beirut has registered citizens seeking refuge, concrete evacuation efforts have yet to materialize.
Reports from Ethiopians in Lebanon indicate growing distress. Many Ethiopians, particularly those working in southern Lebanon—where the conflict is most severe—have fled to Beirut for safety.
The ongoing Israeli airstrikes have added to the uncertainty, and some Ethiopians are reportedly affected by the attacks.
Lebanon, already struggling with economic and political instability, is now facing intense Israeli airstrikes, further endangering its population, including the large Ethiopian expatriate community.
More than 30,000 Ethiopian citizens in Lebanon are caught in the crossfire, many of them unsure of what the future holds.
Some have sought refuge in makeshift shelters, like a school in Beirut, after being displaced from conflict zones such as Saida in southern Lebanon.
“We’re trying to help each other financially, but we don’t know what’s going to happen next,” said one Ethiopian resident, highlighting the uncertainty and fear gripping the community.
Ethiopian Airlines continues to evaluate the situation and will provide updates on its flight operations as the conflict develops.
