Kuwait/Lebanon: Kuwait Airways halts flights to Beirut April 12

Event

On Thursday, April 12, Kuwait Airways announced that it has canceled all flights to Beirut after receiving a warning from Cypriot authorities regarding flying near Lebanese airspace. The move comes amid a warning from Eurocontrol (the air traffic control agency of Europe) advising airlines to exercise caution in light of the threat of possibly impending Western airstrikes in Syria.

Context

Following a suspected chemical gas attack by the Syrian government on civilians in Douma on April 7, US President Donald Trump and European leaders have reportedly discussed military responses but have not confirmed any planned actions. It is unclear from where Eurocontrol received any information regarding impending missile attacks.

On April 10, the air traffic control agency Eurocontrol warned of potential disruptions to radio navigation equipment in the eastern Mediterranean region due to the possibility of air strikes conducted in Syria in the following 72 hours. The agency has warned airlines to exercise heightened caution in the event of air traffic control failures.

Very few commercial flights currently utilize Syrian airspace, with many regulators having already issued warnings against it. Some airlines have announced flight diversions in the broader eastern Mediterranean region.

Advice

Individuals planning travel on Kuwait Airways are advised to confirm flight reservations and contact the airline for more information. In general, travelers on flights through the eastern Mediterranean region are advised to prepare for potentially longer flight times.