Middle East Airlines (MEA) has canceled its flights to Jordan and Iraq on Friday after both countries closed their airspace amid heightened regional tensions, the Lebanese carrier announced.

The decision comes as fears grow over a possible escalation following Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory threats. MEA said it would hold an emergency meeting at noon, chaired by its chairman Mohammad El-Hout, to assess the situation and determine safe alternative flight routes that would not jeopardize passenger or aircraft safety.

Despite mounting concerns, operations at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport are continuing for now, though disruptions are expected.

“Airspace over the airport remains open, although several airlines have canceled flights to Beirut,” Airport Director Ibrahim Abu Alewe told Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA), adding that airport administration is actively monitoring developments.

Civil Aviation Director General Amin Jaber said a crisis committee was activated early Wednesday to evaluate potential risks.

“We began implementing contingency measures this morning,” Jaber told local broadcaster MTV. “So far, there is no threat to aviation safety, and we are still operating.”

Jaber also told LBCI television that Lebanese authorities are prepared to take further steps if necessary.

“We are assessing the risks and will make the right decision to ensure flight safety. For now, airport traffic remains normal,” he said.

As uncertainty grows across the region, several airports and airlines have begun canceling or delaying dozens of flights, responding to concerns over the expanding scope of hostilities between Israel and Iran.

Seven flights scheduled to arrive at Rafic Hariri International Airport on Friday have been canceled. The affected flights include:

• Two incoming flights from Turkey (Antalya and Izmir)

• Two from Dubai operated by Fly Dubai and Emirates

• One flight from Amman operated by MEA

• One from Cairo operated by EgyptAir

• One from Baghdad operated by Iraqi Airways

FlightRadar data showed airspace over Iran, Iraq and Jordan was empty, with flights directed towards Saudi Arabia and Egypt instead.

"Traffic is now diverting either south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, or north via Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan," according to Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information.

About 1,800 flights to and from Europe had been affected so far on Friday, including approximately 650 cancelled flights, according to Eurocontrol.

المشهد من مطار بيروت الدولي pic.twitter.com/T8aV36oUwY

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) June 13, 2025