Lufthansa Group said on Monday that its carriers would be avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace through Aug. 7 due to developments in the Middle East. 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 Aug. 12.<br/>Lufthansa Group said it was also suspending flights to the Jordanian capital, Amman, and the Iraqi city of Erbil through Aug. 7, citing its "current security analysis." Tensions in the region have spiralled in the last week following the killing in Tehran of Palestinian militant group Hamas' head and an Israeli strike on Beirut's suburbs that killed a top commander in Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah. Hezbollah and Iran have vowed to retaliate against Israel for the killings, prompting concerns that the multiple fronts being fought in parallel to the Gaza war could escalate into a full-blown regional war.<br/>
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Turkish Airlines’ operating profit slipped 25% year on year in the second quarter to $591 million amid heightened cost and unit revenue pressure, despite reporting a near 10% jump in revenue. The Star Alliance carrier generated almost $5.7b in revenue in the three months ending 30 June 2024. While its passenger revenue was up only about 4% year on year, to $4.6b, amid competitive pressure, Turkish Airlines notably boosted its cargo revenue by 48% year on year, to $885m. “Turkish Cargo captured a significant share of the accelerated e-commerce growth in the second quarter of this year,” the company says, adding it also gained from shippers seeking alternatives to counter disruptions in the Suez Canal. The carrier increased its cargo volume by almost one third over the first half of the year. But Turkish’s costs climbed 16% year on year in the second quarter to more than $5.1b – including a 30% rise in personnel costs. Consequently, the carrier’s second-quarter operating profit slipped by one quarter year on year, to $591m. Turkish’s net profit, however, was boosted by a “sizeable contribution” from its investment portfolio. This helped lift its Q2 net profit 49% year on year, to $943m.<br/>
Aegean Airlines has suspended flights to and from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan until Thursday. The suspension also applies to flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until the same date. Passengers with flights booked to or from Beirut, Tel Aviv and Amman through August 31 can change or cancel their flights at no additional cost, either by phone or through the airline’s website. They will receive a refund or a credit voucher. Recent tensions have caused several airlines to avoid Iranian and Lebanese airspace and cancel flights to Israel and Lebanon. The Greek airline said in an announcement that it is closely monitoring regional developments and following advice from relevant authorities. For more information, visit aegeanair.com.<br/>
EgyptAir advised customers on Monday to revise or modify their bookings to and from the Lebanese capital Beirut amid potential military escalation between the Lebanese Hezbollah group and Israel. The national flag carrier has urged local clients to call the hotline 1717 or landline 090070000 and international clients to call +97142306666 or +966122297777 for inquiries. Moreover, customers can visit the EgyptAir website (www.egyptair.com) or drop in at the nearest sales office. In recent days, many governments have urged their nationals to urgently leave Lebanon as Iran and Hezbollah vowed to retaliate against Israel's high-profile killing of Hezbollah's top military commander Fouad Shukur in south Beirut on Wednesday and the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran hours later. In addition, several international airlines have suspended flights to and from Israel and to and from Lebanon amid expectations of Hezbollah retaliation.<br/>
Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed an MOU with Satarem America Inc. to partner on production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Ethiopia. Satarem shall produce SAF in the country, and Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to acquire the SAF from Satarem. With this MoU, Ethiopian Airlines Group has solidified its commitment to sustainability. This strategic partnership marks a significant step Ethiopian Airlines is taking towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. The MoU with Satarem America Inc., a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, will enable Ethiopian Airlines Group to incorporate SAF into its operations, thereby significantly reducing carbon emissions and supporting global efforts to combat climate change. SAF is a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel, produced from sustainable feedstocks that can lower greenhouse gas emissions.<br/>
Star Alliance member All Nippon Airways (ANA) has returned to Vienna and is now operating nonstop between Tokyo Haneda and the Austrian capital three times a week with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. “ANA first touched down in Vienna 35 years ago in July 1989. After a pause between 2002 and 2019, and another due to COVID, we’re excited to finally welcome back ANA in Vienna,” the local airport said. From Haneda, the flights to Vienna depart every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 2245, arriving in Vienna following a scheduled flight time of 14 hours and 35 minutes at 0620 the following morning. From Austria, the nonstop Haneda service departs every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 1125, arriving in Tokyo the next morning at 0655. ANA is deploying its three-class Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on Haneda-Vienna, including 1-2-1 business class, 2-3-2 premium economy class and 3-3-3 economy class. Last month, the Star Alliance carrier also confirmed the addition of Milan, Stockholm and Istanbul to its winter 2024 schedule.<br/>