Dubai, United Arab Emirates - September 28, 2024

Airlines from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and neighboring countries have announced they will extend flight suspensions to Beirut, capital of Lebanon, amid escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, citing safety concerns.

The ongoing escalation has also prompted airlines to increase personnel deployment to ensure timely updates for passengers regarding flight statuses.

The only flight from Dubai to Beirut on Saturday at the Dubai International Airport, the world's second-largest airport, was marked as "canceled". According to airport staff, the number of flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, significantly decreased that day compared to usual operations.

"There's something we need to pay special attention and the safety around these areas. So there are a lot of airline carriers have canceled the flights to Beirut. We suspended our flight to Beirut till the 1st of October," said Zhu Jie, senior regional manager of the airport services department of Emirates Airlines, the largest carrier in the Middle East.

Etihad Airways, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, has also announced an extension of its flight suspension to Beirut, which is now set until Sunday.

In addition, airlines from countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar have also halted flights to Beirut until the situation stabilizes.

Since Oct 8, 2023, Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border to show solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel began extensive airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, marking the most significant Israeli military action in the country since 2006.

SHOTLIST:

Dubai, UAE - Sept 28, 2024
1. Traffic, passengers outside Dubai International Airport;
2. Various of passengers checking flight schedule; board showing flight schedule;
3. Passengers at airport;
4. Meeting in progress;
5. Passengers at airport;
6. Various of board showing flight schedule;
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Zhu Jie, senior regional manager, airport services department, Emirates (starting with shots 4-6):
"There's something we need to pay special attention and the safety around these areas. So there are a lot of airline carriers have canceled the flights to Beirut. We suspended our flight to Beirut till the 1st of October.";
8. Various of passengers outside airport; entering airport; passengers at airport.

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