Tel aviv: The Lufthansa Group has announced changes to its flight operations to Israel, opting to run only daytime flights to and from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport in the coming days. This decision is a response to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Lufthansa Group, which includes airlines such as Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, will operate flights to Tel Aviv and Amman, Jordan, as daytime services from Thursday through Monday. This means that flight crews will return immediately without overnight stays at the destination. The company has also noted that some flights may face cancellations.
Additionally, Lufthansa Group has decided that all its airlines will avoid flying over Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice. This development occurs amidst heightened tensions, as US officials have increased their rhetoric against Iran, which has been experiencing anti-government protests due to economic challenges.
The situation escalated when US President Donald Trump stated that Washington would take decisive action if Iran proceeded with executing protesters. Israel is also on alert, preparing for potential missile attacks from Iran if the US strikes Tehran. This comes after a 12-day conflict in June, when Israel, with US support, engaged in military action against Iran, which retaliated with drone and missile strikes before a US-brokered ceasefire was announced.
Historically, Israel and Iran have been adversaries, accusing each other of sabotage and cyberattacks. Recently, Israel has heightened the alert status of its air force, military intelligence, and Northern Command, anticipating a possible US military action against Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have accused the US and Israel of supporting unrest and terrorism amidst their ongoing domestic protests.
While official casualty figures remain undisclosed, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), based in the US, estimates that the protests have resulted in at least 2,500 deaths, including both protesters and security forces, with over 1,100 injured.