Britons urged to depart Lebanon now – however what are their journey choices after most flights cancelled?
The prime minister has urged Britons in Lebanon to “go away instantly” as Israel intensifies its bombing campaign against Hezbollah. Sir Keir added that he believes the battle between Israel and Lebanon is on the “brink level”.
It comes as 700 British troops are being sent to Cyprus to arrange for a doable evacuation of as much as 10,000 Britons from Lebanon.
The International Workplace says: “FCDO continues to advise towards all journey to Lebanon. If you’re at present in Lebanon, we encourage you to depart, whereas business choices stay accessible.
“Tensions are excessive and occasions may escalate with little warning, which may have an effect on or restrict exit routes out of Lebanon. Within the occasion of decay within the political or safety scenario, business routes out of Lebanon could possibly be severely disrupted or cancelled at brief discover, and roads throughout the nation could possibly be closed. “Your journey insurance coverage could possibly be invalidated should you journey towards recommendation from the International Workplace.
“Consular help can be severely restricted the place FCDO advises towards journey.”
However how is it doable to depart? These are the important thing questions and solutions.
Is Beirut airport nonetheless open?
Sure. Rafic Hariri Worldwide Airport is working – however removed from usually. MEA, the Lebanese nationwide service, is working a full programme of flights, together with the same old Wednesday morning departure to London Heathrow.
However many different airways have briefly cancelled flights on security grounds. They embody:
Of those, essentially the most important for British residents is Turkish Airways: usually it operates three wide-bodied flights day-after-day to Istanbul, the place there are a number of connections throughout the UK.
MEA is bought out to London for a minimum of the following week; British Airways flights to Beirut are at present suspended.
With capability greater than halved from Beirut, and huge numbers of individuals of all nationalities looking for to depart Lebanon, The Unbiased has been unable to seek out any seats accessible as much as and together with the weekend.
It’s doable that evacuation plane could also be despatched in.
Can folks go away by land?
The border with Israel is closed. The border with Syria is open, however the International Workplace advises “towards all journey to Syria as a result of ongoing battle and unpredictable safety circumstances”. It urges British nationals to “go away the nation by any sensible means”. However some travellers could determine to danger the journey to Damascus, as a result of the airport within the Syrian capital is working usually – with flights to Kuwait or Sharjah (adjoining Dubai) in all probability one of the best wager, resulting from simpler connections to the UK.
Is there a ship from Lebanon to Cyprus?
No – until you constitution a ship. This isn’t advisable within the present scenario.
How do I contact the British Embassy?
The International Workplace says: “Should you’re in Lebanon and also you want emergency assist from the UK authorities, contact the British Embassy in Beirut.”
However entry to the British Embassy is by appointment solely. The Embassy says: “To name us in an emergency or ship us a web based enquiry use our contact form.”
