UAE | Tourism
All flights from Dubai to Beirut cancelled until further notice
All flights to Beirut from Abu Dhabi and Dubai cancelled until situation in Lebanon clears, official says.
- By Sunita Menon And Dina El Shammaa, Staff Reporters
- Published: 13:31 May 8, 2008
- Members of the public were stranded at the airport and were forced to walk as roads were blockaded
- Image Credit: AP
Abu Dhabi/Dubai: All flights to Beirut from Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been cancelled and will resume only when there is a clear picture of the situation in Lebanon, aviation officials said on Thursday.
"An EK (Emirates) and an MEA (Middle East Airlines) flight to Beirut have already been cancelled," said a Dubai Civil Aviation official.
"The scheduled time for the reopening [of the Rafik Hariri International Airport] has now passed and we have not had any updates.
"We know the Beirut airport is still closed," said Mohammad Al Bulooki, director of marketing and communications, Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC).
Tension in the Lebanese capital remained high on Thursday.
Suspended
An official from the international airport in Beirut told Gulf News all incoming flights remain temporarily suspended.
He did say an MEA flight to Dubai and Abu Dhabi might depart at its scheduled time.
"We expected the airport to open at 1pm (Thursday, Abu Dhabi time). We are still waiting to be informed what the opening times will be."
Tom Clarke, media relations officer of Etihad Airways, said it was likely that the 1.05am flight departing from Abu Dhabi to Beirut on Friday morning would be cancelled.
Despite their country being pushed deeper into political turmoil, a large number of expatriate Lebanese from all walks of life in the UAE have high hopes the unrest will be resolved soon.
Many were glued to their television sets on Thursday to hear Hezbollah chief Shaikh Hassan Nasrallah address the public.
"I am so used to this type of thing happening in Lebanon," said Bassam Ahmad, a Lebanese expatriate whose family members in Beirut were scattered across the city yesterday, unable to make their way home.
Maria Ma'elouf had similar sentiments.
For her Lebanon's politics have become murky since the assassination of Rafik Hariri. "Today each political party in Lebanon is trying to get a one-up on the other but by doing this they are just destroying the secular fabric of the country."
"In my opinion the political parties are all on an ego trip of their own," Ma'elouf said.
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Lebanon violence spiralling out of control
Lebanon violence spiralling out of control
-
Crackdown is 'declaration of war'
Hezbollah leader says Lebanese government's crackdown 'declaration of war'
-
UN chief Ban urges end to blockades
UN chief Ban urges end to Lebanon blockades
-
'A blatant assault on our country'
'A blatant assault on our country'
-
Saudi Arabia warns against further escalation of clashes
Saudi Arabia warns against further escalation of clashes
-
Hariri proposes deal to end conflict
Lebanese leader Hariri proposes deal to end conflict
-
Lebanon stares at civil war
Lebanon stares at civil war
-
Cleric slams calls to expel Iranian envoy
Cleric slams calls to expel Iranian envoy
-
Explosions, gunfire rock Beirut
Explosions, gunfire rock Beirut
-
Editorial: Lebanon between devil and deep sea
Lebanon is between the devil and the deep sea
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- UAE rejects Israeli colonies
- Teens smoking secretly, unchecked
- Right cut for diabetes respite
- Sweet shops to provide delicious treats
- Eid Al Adha: Duty and sacrifice
- Hospital's diabetes awareness programme extended
- Khalifa receives greetings on Eid
- Court acquits maid of theft charge
- Teenager jailed after having sex with minor
- Transit passenger jailed for drug smuggling
- Transport authority launches 'no to accidents' campaign
- Slew of celebration plans
- No decision on ex-Syrian intelligence officer
- Ex-Syrian intelligence officer won't be extradited
- Films about Palestine life dominate festival shortlist
Community Reports
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
