Air travel gets turbulent: Nations ask citizens to flee, carriers cancel flights

A number of nations issued advisories to their citizens to evacuate Lebanon, in what experts see as a precautionary measure in case of an attack by Iran against Israel.

Some airlines, meanwhile, are avoiding Iranian and Lebanese airspace and cancelling entire flights to Israel and Lebanon.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry issued an alert Monday urging Japanese citizens in Lebanon to evacuate the country in light of the rising tensions in the Middle East.


Late on Sunday, the foreign ministry of Turkey urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country if they do not need to stay, due to the possibility that the security situation there will deteriorate rapidly.

The Chinese embassy in Lebanon told Chinese citizens Monday to travel to the country with caution, citing "grim and complex" security situation. It called on Chinese nationals and institutions in Lebanon to stay on high alert and take safety precautions.

Meanwhile, Jordan requested all airlines landing at its airports carry 45 minutes of reserve fuel for "operational reasons".

Germany's Lufthansa Group said that its carriers would be avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace through August 7. The group, which includes carriers Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines and Eurowings, said all flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran and Beirut had been suspended up to and including August 12. Agencies