The wing of a MEA airplane in mid-flight, taken from the cabin. (Credit: Philippe Hage Boutros/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon's national carrier, has updated its flight schedule in light of “the closure of airspace in several countries in the region linked to ongoing security developments.”
In light of the current context, MEA has updated its flight schedule (for the second time) for today, Monday, March 2, and for tomorrow as well. This latest flight schedule statement cancels and supersedes the statement issued yesterday although the modifications are similar to those announced on Sunday.
Schedule changes and additional flight
The airline has added an extra flight to Istanbul (ME1265), departing from Beirut–Rafik Hariri International Airport at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
The return flight Larnaca–Beirut (ME262), initially scheduled for March 2, has been postponed to Tuesday, March 3, at 8:00 a.m. (local Cyprus time).
The Beirut–Riyadh flight (ME424), scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, has been delayed from 8:25 a.m. to 9:40 a.m., while the return flight (ME425) will depart at 2:45 p.m. instead of 12:40 p.m.
Canceled flights
MEA announced the cancellation of several routes scheduled for March 2 and 3, notably to Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Erbil, Najaf, Kuwait, Dammam and Amman (morning flight).
The affected flights include ME426/427 (Dubai), ME310/311 (Amman – morning flight), ME404/405 (Kuwait), ME324/325 (Erbil), ME436/437 (Doha), ME418/419 (Abu Dhabi), ME322/323 (Baghdad), ME428/429 (Dubai), as well as ME326/327 (Najaf) and ME442/443 (Dammam).
Regarding the Beirut–Amman route, only the morning flight (ME310/311) has been canceled, while the afternoon rotation (ME312/313) will operate as scheduled.
Passengers booked on flights to Dammam may change their reservation free of charge to Jeddah or Riyadh within one week of the original flight date.
Flights maintained
Flights scheduled for March 3 to London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Rome, Athens and Larnaca will operate as planned. Rotations to Cairo, Jeddah and Istanbul, as well as evening flights to Riyadh and Amman, are also confirmed at their usual times.
