Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s leading carrier, Saturday announced that it has temporarily halted flights to four destinations in the Middle East due to heightened security risks in the region.
“Due to the current security situation in the Middle East, Ethiopian Airlines is canceling some of its flights to and from the region,” the Ethiopian flag carrier said in a statement.
The airline announced that so far, it has canceled its flights to Amman in Jordan, Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia.
The airlines said no Ethiopian aircraft is stationed at airports in the affected areas.
Israel launched a “preemptive” strike against Iran on Saturday morning “to remove threats to Israel,” the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special and immediate state of emergency in all areas of Israel, according to the statement.
Takeoffs and landings at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv have been halted, and passengers were advised not to venture at the airport, according to its authority.
Ethiopian Airlines added that the decision follows consultations with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and relevant airport authorities in the region.
The airline did not specify a timeline for resuming services but said it is monitoring developments closely and will adjust operations as conditions allow.
MG/as/APA