MEA Modifies Flight Plans after Syria Missile Strike Warning

Lebanon's Middle East Airlines will modify its flight routes over the Eastern Mediterranean region in light of the European air safety warning over potential military strikes on Syria in the coming days, a statement said.

“The conferees discussed the warning issued to airlines by the European Aviation Safety Agency on the need to observe caution in the Eastern Mediterranean region over the possibility of airstrikes on Syria over the coming 72 hours, seeing as there is a risk of intermittent disruption of radio navigation equipment" for commercial flights, the statement said.

The statement was issued after a meeting that gathered Transport and Public Works Minister Youssef Fenianos, MEA chairman Mohammed al-Hout, a technical MEA team, Civil Aviation Director General Mohammed Shehabeddine and a delegation from the Civil Aviation Directorate.

“After deliberations, a precautionary measure was taken by modifying flight routes until midnight Friday,” the statement said.

An official at Beirut's airport told AFP "the decision includes all arriving and departing flights starting from tomorrow morning (Thursday)."

Flights from the Gulf will be affected more than others, with expected delays of 30 to 40 minutes, because instead of flying over northern Syria they will travel over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and then on to the Gulf.

Air France was among airlines modifying their flight plans on Wednesday after Europe's air safety watchdog warned of the potential strikes.

A spokesman for the European Aviation Safety Agency said airlines were alerted Tuesday of the possible launch of "air-to-ground and/or cruise missiles with the next 72 hours," urging them to take precautionary measures.

"Air France has taken the EASA information into account and modified its flight plans for affected destinations, mainly Beirut and Tel Aviv," the airline said, adding that it was monitoring the situation.

Most international airlines no longer fly to Damascus since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war more than seven years ago.

The heightened tensions follow reports of a new chemical attack in the rebel-held city of Douma, not far from Damascus, which has prompted a global outcry against the heavy civilian casualties from the Syrian regime's bombing campaign in the area.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that "missiles will be coming" in response to the alleged chemical attack.