Lufthansa extends suspension of flights to Middle East amid Iran-Israel tensions

BERLIN

Lufthansa announced on Monday that it is extending the suspension of flights to the Middle East crisis region for another week due to security concerns.

All flights to and from Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Erbil, and Amman will remain suspended until Aug. 21, the German flag carrier said in a statement.

Lufthansa will not use Iraqi and Iranian airspace during this period, the statement said.

The decision came amid heightened tensions in the region, as Iran vowed to respond to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and Israeli media reported that Iran’s retaliation could be within days.

Lufthansa flights to the Middle East crisis region were initially canceled until Aug. 13. In line with the Lufthansa Group’s decision, scheduled flights to the region by Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines were also canceled.