Emirates Resumes Flights to Beirut and Baghdad Amid Easing Middle East Tensions
As tensions in the Middle East gradually ease, Emirates has announced the resumption of its flights to Beirut, Lebanon, and Baghdad, Iraq. The airline will restart daily flights to both cities starting February 1, offering passengers more travel options and connectivity to Dubai and beyond.
Daily Flights to Beirut and Baghdad
On January 24, Emirates confirmed that it would reinstate flights to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) and Baghdad International Airport (BGW). These flights will be operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, ensuring a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
For Beirut, Emirates will use a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, providing 5,000 weekly seats in both directions. This move is expected to enhance travel choices for passengers and improve connectivity between Lebanon and Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Additionally, starting April 1, Emirates will introduce a second daily flight to Beirut. The initial flight, resuming on February 1, will depart from Dubai at 11:30 AM local time (UTC +4). The new morning flight will depart at 7:30 AM local time and will also be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER.
Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER Configurations
Emirates operates five different configurations of the Boeing 777-300ER:
- Two-class configuration: 427 or 442 passengers
- Three-class configuration: 354, 358, or 364 passengers
In August 2022, Emirates began retrofitting its 777-300ER fleet, introducing updated seating arrangements. The upgraded aircraft now include:
- Eight First Class seats
- 40 Business Class seats
- 24 Premium Economy seats
- 256 Economy Class seats
Alternatively, some retrofitted aircraft have:
- Six First Class seats
- 38 Business Class seats
- 24 Premium Economy seats
- 256 Economy Class seats
The first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER entered commercial service in August 2024. Meanwhile, the Airbus A380 retrofit program, which started in November 2022, has also been progressing, with the first upgraded aircraft entering service in January 2023. Initially, Emirates planned to retrofit 120 aircraft, but in May 2024, the airline expanded this program to include 191 aircraft.
Emirates’ Flights to the Levant Region
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium’s Diio Mi airline planning tool, Emirates has operated flights to five Levant destinations since 2023:
- Amman Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Jordan
- Baghdad International Airport (BGW), Iraq
- Basra International Airport (BSR), Iraq
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), Lebanon
- Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), Israel
However, in October and November 2024, Emirates temporarily suspended flights to Beirut and Baghdad due to regional instability. Flights to Tel Aviv remain unavailable for booking since October 2023.
Meanwhile, flydubai, a budget airline closely linked to Emirates, has continued flying to Baghdad and Tel Aviv. However, flydubai suspended its Beirut flights in September 2024 but is expected to resume services in February.
Improved Security and Resumption of Flights
The decision to resume flights to Beirut and Baghdad follows recent peace agreements in the region. Israel has signed treaties with Hezbollah and later Hamas, leading to a decrease in tensions. As a result, international airlines have also announced plans to restore flights to these destinations.
Several global carriers, including Delta Air Lines, British Airways, and the Lufthansa Group, have confirmed that they will restart flights to Israel in the coming weeks or months.
With improving security conditions in the Middle East, airlines like Emirates are reinstating flights to key cities, ensuring better connectivity for travelers. The relaunch of daily flights to Beirut and Baghdad reflects growing confidence in regional stability. As more airlines resume operations, air travel in the region is expected to gradually return to normal.
