Avoid flying over Israel, Lebanon, EU tells airlines Lebanon

The European Union has issued a warning to airlines, recommending they avoid the airspace over Lebanon and Israel for the next month due to the war between Hezbollah and Israel.

The European Commission and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) cited a “general intensification of air strikes and a deterioration of the security situation” in their advisory. The guidance, effective until 31 October, advises against operations “within the airspace of Lebanon and Israel at all flight levels.”

EASA stated it would continue to monitor the situation closely, with the possibility of revising, adapting, or withdrawing the advisory based on evolving threats to EU aircraft operators.

The warning comes amid escalating tensions, with Israel conducting its most intense airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs since the 2006 war with Hezbollah.

The Israeli army killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike, while Hezbollah reports firing rockets at targets in northern Israel.

In a related development, Lebanon’s Ministry of Transport reportedly instructed an Iranian plane to avoid entering Lebanese airspace after Israel threatened Beirut airport’s air traffic control services.

The contents of the Iranian aircraft remain unclear, with a ministry source citing “human lives” as the priority.