Airlines Reduce Number of Flights to Beirut

A general view shows Beirut airport, Lebanon June 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A general view shows Beirut airport, Lebanon June 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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Airlines Reduce Number of Flights to Beirut

A general view shows Beirut airport, Lebanon June 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A general view shows Beirut airport, Lebanon June 19, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

The financial and economic crisis in Lebanon has had an effect on all vital sectors, especially tourism. On the eve of Christmas and New Year, the country seemed devoid of joy that usually surrounded the streets.
 
Travel and tourism companies have seen a sharp decline in reservations for the holidays. Sources at Rafic Hariri International Airport told Asharq Al-Awsat that several airlines have reduced the number of their inbound and outbound flights. They added that this reduction was linked to the cancellation of many reservations, and not for any other reason.
 
Tourism companies that used to promote their offers two months ago seem almost absent from the social media. They have been unable to pay the salaries of their employees and cover the expenses of their offices in Lebanon and abroad.
 
Christelle Majdalani, Sales Manager at Nakhal for Travel and Tourism (one of the largest travel companies in Lebanon), told Asharq Al-Awsat that the financial and economic crisis has had a negative impact on the tourism sector and on the Lebanese reservations abroad.
 
“Travel reservations for Christmas and New Year holidays outside the country have fallen to 10 percent,” she said.

“Citizens residing in Lebanon prefer to stay home because of the scarcity of liquidity, burdens of life and inflation,” she added.
 
Turkey and Egypt remain the first destination for the Lebanese wishing to travel for leisure, due to very reasonable prices and the low exchange rate against the US dollar, compared to European countries.
 
Majdalani noted that those who booked flights to travel abroad for the holidays were the ones who have external funding sources, and cash transfers from parents or children working abroad, but they are few.
 
The crisis is also impacting hotels and restaurants. A source at the Hotel Owners Syndicate told Asharq Al-Awsat that reservations this year were almost at their lowest levels.

“A large number of tourism institutions will not organize special events on Christmas and New Year due to the difficult economic conditions,” the sources said.
 



Syria Condemns Israeli Strikes on Southwestern City of Daraa

People gather during the funeral of civilians killed in an Israeli strike on Monday, in Daraa, Syria March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
People gather during the funeral of civilians killed in an Israeli strike on Monday, in Daraa, Syria March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
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Syria Condemns Israeli Strikes on Southwestern City of Daraa

People gather during the funeral of civilians killed in an Israeli strike on Monday, in Daraa, Syria March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
People gather during the funeral of civilians killed in an Israeli strike on Monday, in Daraa, Syria March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Syria's foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned Israeli strikes on the southwestern city of Daraa, which it said killed and injured civilians.

The strikes a day earlier killed at least three people and injured 19 others, the Syrian civil defense group, known as the White Helmets, said.

The Syrian foreign ministry said the strikes were "part of a campaign waged by Israel against the Syrian people and the country's stability", Reuters reported.

"The ongoing Israeli aggression on Syria is not only a violation of international law, but is also a direct threat to regional and international security," the ministry said.

The Israeli army confirmed the strikes, the latest in a string of attacks targeting Syria's military infrastructure since opposition factions toppled President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Israel said it targeted military headquarters and sites containing weapons and equipment.