Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport suspended all flights through Monday, a move confirmed by RIA Novosti citing the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority. The decision reflected a broader security context in the region and a readiness to adapt aviation operations to evolving risk conditions.
Officials stated that there would be no aircraft movements for nine hours, from 21:00 on October 6 to 06:00 on October 7, local Beirut time. The temporary halt aimed to allow for safety assessments and to prevent crowding or confusion amidst the heightened security posture surrounding the facility.
On September 23, Israel announced a preemptive strike operation in Lebanon named Arrows of the North. The Israeli Defense Forces said the objective was the infrastructure of Hezbollah, the Shiite movement that has built up capabilities over the last two decades, raising tensions across the border and impacting regional stability.
There were explosions during the night of October 6 as evacuation efforts near Beirut International Airport proceeded. Although evacuations continued and some flights operated intermittently, the eastern portion of the airport’s infrastructure experienced a loss of power, which was restored after a brief outage.
Reports indicated that Israelis considered leaving the country as the conflict intensified, underscoring the sense of immediacy and uncertainty for residents and foreign nationals alike as security conditions shifted rapidly.
The disruption at Beirut comes amid broader regional security concerns that have implications for travelers from Canada and the United States. North American carriers and governments have urged travelers to monitor developments closely, confirm flight statuses, and reassess plans in light of potential reroutings or delays as authorities enforce heightened safety measures.
Observers note that even as power and communications are restored, ongoing security operations and cross-border actions can influence flight schedules, airspace restrictions, and the availability of direct routes through the Eastern Mediterranean. Travelers should expect possible changes and prepare accordingly, with contingency plans and real-time updates from airlines and official portals.
In this climate, regional aviation remains sensitive to military actions and strategic decisions. The events illustrate how localized confrontations can ripple outward, affecting international travel, border advisories, and the posture of aviation authorities as they balance safety, capacity, and passenger needs across a volatile regional landscape.
As the situation evolves, travel advisories for international travelers — including those from Canada and the United States — may shift quickly. The prudent approach is to stay informed through official sources, coordinate with ticketing carriers, and consider flexible options to accommodate possible detours or pauses in service while security conditions are reassessed.