The Lufthansa Group, of which the Zaventem (Flemish Brabant)-based airline Brussels Airlines is a part, has cancelled all its flights to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv and the Iranian capital Tehran. Lufthansa group made the announcement that all flights to both cities would be cancelled “with immediate effect” in a statement released on Tuesday evening.
The decision to cancel flights to the two cities came after 9 people died and thousands more were injured in an attack believed to have been carried out by the Israeli intelligence service in Lebanon. Brussels Airlines normally flies 5 times a week to Tel Aviv.
Tuesday evening’s statement read "In view of the recent change in the security situation, Lufthansa Group airlines have decided to suspend all flights to and from Tel Aviv (TLV) and Tehran (IKA) with immediate effect”
Brussels Airlines only has flights to Tel Aviv. Flights to the Israeli city will be suspended up to and including Thursday 19 September. During this period Lufthansa Group airlines will avoid flying in Israeli and Iranian airspace.
Lufthansa Group adds that “We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will assess it further in the coming days”.
Attack in Lebanon
On Tuesday thousands of people were injured and 9 people were killed when beepers used by Hezbollah militants exploded. Various sources say that Israeli intelligence was behind the attack. This has led to a further rise in tension in the region.