Canadian government security update to nationals in Lebanon to "consider leaving the country" while commercial flights remain available, Oct. 16, 2023. (Credit: Canadian embassy)
The Canadian government called on its nationals in Lebanon to "consider leaving the country" while commercial flights are still available. The warning was published on the Canadian government's travel advisory website. The country is home to a large Lebanese diaspora.
A few minutes later, Swiss airline Swiss announced in a press release that it was suspending flights to Beirut until Oct. 28 "due to the situation in the Middle East and tensions on the border between Israel and Lebanon."
A few days ago, Lufthansa and Eurowings announced the suspension of their services to Beirut.
Avoid non-essential travel to #Lebanon, especially near the border with #Israel. If armed conflict intensifies, our ability to provide consular services may be limited. Consider whether you really need to be there. https://t.co/ZmdBCyQwUC pic.twitter.com/DSkS3vlVXl
— Travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) October 13, 2023
"Attention Canadians in Lebanon, you should consider leaving while commercial options are available," wrote the Canadian government on its X (formerly Twitter) page designed to give advice to Canadians abroad.
On its official website, the government urged Canadians to avoid "non-essential travel to Lebanon due to the unpredictable security situation, the increased risk of terrorist attacks and the armed conflict with Israel ... If the armed conflict intensifies, commercial means of leaving the country could be affected."
"The Canadian government's ability to provide consular services during active conflict, including the evacuation of citizens, may be limited," they added.
"After a thorough review of the situation in Lebanon, we have decided to suspend our round-trip services between Switzerland and Beirut, as an extension of the conflict cannot be ruled out at this time," explained Swiss in a statement. Four flights between Zurich and the Lebanese capital have been canceled, on Oct. 17, 19, 24 and 26. Swiss stresses that it is calling in experts to assess the risks and that the resuming of flights between Zurich and Beirut will depend on "geopolitical developments."
President of the Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies in Lebanon Jean Abboud told L'Orient-Le Jour that fears of war between Hamas and Israel spilling over into Lebanon had a real impact on traffic at Beirut International Airport. He points to an almost 23% drop in arrivals over the period from Oct. 10 to 15, compared with the same period a year ago.