Lufthansa Group Halts Overnight Stays for Crews in Israel Amid Iran Threat
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Lufthansa Group will not allow its flight crews to stay overnight in Israel until November 30 due to potential conflict with Iran. The airline will implement crew changes in Athens or Larnaca to comply with rest regulations and avoid overnight stays. This policy may lead to flight schedule adjustments and cancellations, with affected passengers to be notified.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Lufthansa Group will not permit flight crews to stay overnight in Israel until November 30.
- The decision is based on concerns about a potential conflict with Iran.
- Crew changes will occur in Athens or Larnaca to comply with rest regulations.
- The new policy may result in flight cancellations and schedule adjustments.
- British Airways uses a similar crew change procedure in Larnaca.
Lufthansa Group has announced that its flight crews will no longer be permitted to stay overnight in Israel. This policy, effective until November 30, applies to flights arriving at and departing from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The decision stems from concerns over a potential escalation of conflict with Iran, as reported by N12 News.
The airline conglomerate, which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways, stated that the new regulations will necessitate adjustments to flight schedules, potentially leading to cancellations. To circumvent overnight stays, morning flights from Frankfurt, Munich, and Zurich operated by Lufthansa and SWISS will now include a one-hour stopover in Athens or Larnaca for crew changes, according to N12.
This measure aligns with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations requiring a minimum 10-hour rest period for crews when away from their home base, contrasted with 13 hours of actual flight time. The crew swap strategy appears designed to keep flight hours within legal limits or allow rest outside of Israel.
British Airways employs a similar practice on its London-Tel Aviv route, with a 45-minute stop in Larnaca for crew changes, while the return flight is direct. British Airways had resumed flights to Tel Aviv in October after a suspension in February coinciding with the start of Operation "Roaring Lion."
N12 reported that flights other than the canceled LH691, LH683, and LX257 will continue to operate directly to Ben Gurion Airport, though flight times may vary. Affected passengers will be notified, and booking systems will be updated accordingly.
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