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Emirates Airline will resume flights from Dubai to Lebanon's capital Beirut and Iraq's capital Baghdad on Saturday, after announcing plans to reinstate both services last month.
The airline had extended a long-standing suspension of its routes to the cities until January 31 as a safety measure amid regional tensions.
A two-month ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah - which was due to end on January 26 - was last week extended until February 18.
It provided a boost to efforts to maintain peace and stability in Lebanon, which were already buoyed by the recent election of President Joseph Aoun.
His appointment ended a power vacuum that had persisted since 2022 and represented a crucial step forward as efforts continue to maintain the ceasefire agreement and begin postwar reconstruction efforts.
In a telephone call last month, President Sheikh Mohamed wished Mr Aoun success in leading Lebanon and fulfilling the aspirations of its people for development and stability.
The UAE last week announced that its embassy in Lebanon's capital Beirut had officially resumed diplomatic activities.
The two countries agreed to strengthen bilateral relations in recent months.
Omar Al Shamsi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the reopening of the embassy was an important step in the renewed co-operation between the UAE and Lebanon, state news agency Wam reported.
Expanding operations
From April 1, Emirates will add a second daily service to Beirut.
The daily flight to Beirut beginning on February 1 will depart from Dubai at 11.30am, arriving in Beirut at 2pm. The return flight will leave Beirut at 3.30pm, landing in Dubai at 9.20pm.
From April 1, Emirates’ second daily service will take off at 7.30am, arriving in Beirut at 10.30am. The return flight will leave Beirut at 12.05pm, arriving in Dubai at 4.55pm.
Emirates’ daily flights to Baghdad will leave Dubai at 8.05am on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, reaching Baghdad at 9.50am. The return journey will leave Baghdad at 11.25am, landing in Dubai at 2.35pm.
On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the service will depart Dubai at 1pm, arriving in Baghdad at 2.25pm.
The return flight leaves at 3.55pm, touching down in Dubai at 7.10pm.
