The decision could change, depending on “the evolution of the security situation.” Suspended since Sunday, Air France and Transavia flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut should resume “from Tuesday,” the airline said in a statement on Monday.
“At this stage, and subject to the evolution of the security situation at the destination, the company plans to resume its connections between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Beirut (Lebanon), and between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Tel Aviv (Israel), suspended since August 25, 2024” due to the worsening of tensions between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, “as of Tuesday, August 27, 2024,” the carrier specified. “The continuation of operations will remain subject to a daily assessment of the situation on site,” continued Air France, which has been providing one connection per day to both destinations since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Customers “in possession of a reservation for flights to/from Beirut or Tel Aviv scheduled before September 1, 2024 inclusive” can postpone or cancel their trip free of charge, the company also emphasizes. The resumption of flights from Tuesday also concerns Transavia, the group’s low-cost subsidiary, assured one of its spokespersons.
“Ensuring the highest level of safety”
Israel said Sunday it had foiled a large-scale Hezbollah attack with multiple strikes in Lebanon, but the Lebanese movement said it had managed to launch hundreds of drones and rockets at Israeli positions to avenge the death of one of its leaders.
The leading European airline, the German Lufthansa, announced on Friday that it was extending the suspension of its flights to Beirut until September 30, and until September 2 for Tel Aviv and Tehran.
Air France had already suspended Paris-Beirut flights between July 29 and August 15, but had not recently suspended flights with Tel Aviv. “The company is constantly monitoring the evolution of the geopolitical situation in the territories served and overflown by its aircraft in order to ensure the highest level of flight safety and security,” it assures in its press release.