Smoke from a nearby strike lingered as a plane operated by Middle East Airlines took off, underscoring the airport’s continued operations during the latest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.

The airport, Lebanon’s only international passenger hub, sits on the Mediterranean coast adjacent to Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area heavily targeted by Israeli strikes since Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel last month, drawing the country into the broader regional conflict.

Mohammed Aziz, head of Lebanon’s civil aviation authority, said the airport has remained operational throughout the crisis, based on risk assessments informed largely by the U.S. embassy.

He added that authorities received assurances this week that the airport itself would not be targeted, following an Israeli evacuation warning covering areas near the facility.

Israel has not carried out that threat, which followed a wave of strikes that killed more than 350 people across Lebanon, including in central Beirut and its southern outskirts.

Passenger traffic has dropped to less than half of normal levels, with most international airlines suspending service. Middle East Airlines has maintained a reduced schedule, including a limited number of daily flights to Turkey.At the airport, usually crowded departure halls were sparsely populated, with only a handful of travelers waiting amid heightened security.

Some passengers said their main concern was potential cancellations rather than safety risks.A pilot with the national carrier said commercial flights continue to operate alongside Israeli military aircraft by using designated air corridors. “We have very specific air routes,” he said, adding that aircraft positions are visible through active transponders, reducing the risk of accidental conflict.

He said Israeli military aircraft typically operate at higher altitudes and are detectable on radar systems used by civilian planes.Coordination mechanisms are in place to prevent incidents, with U.S. officials acting as intermediaries, according to aviation sources.

Lebanese authorities are also sharing flight movement data with certain diplomatic missions, a Western source said.Airport chief operating officer Jalal Haidar said he was confident in the safety of the facility, surrounding areas and airspace, adding that operations have continued with minimal disruption, aside from occasional landing delays.

He said the airport is using the reduced traffic to carry out renovations, aiming to expand capacity beyond its annual average of eight million passengers.“We are prepared to remain open and operational,” Haidar said, adding that maintaining connectivity is critical for Lebanon during the conflict.

Police said the incident occurred on Saturday, April 11, when the man accessed a restricted section of the airport in western Ireland. He was detained and remains in custody, according to an official statement.

Video shared on social media platform X appeared to show a person dressed in black standing on top of what media reports identified as a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The individual was seen striking the fuselage with an object.

Authorities did not immediately confirm the extent of any damage to the aircraft or how the individual gained access to the secure area.Shannon Airport has long been a focal point of political sensitivity in Ireland due to its role in facilitating the transit of U.S. military personnel and providing logistical support for overseas operations.

Police said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the strike caused fires at fuel facilities within the airport perimeter, though it did not immediately provide details on casualties or the extent of operational disruption.

Authorities said emergency teams were deployed to contain the blaze, with firefighting operations underway at the site. Initial reports indicated that the attack involved unmanned aerial vehicles, but no group has claimed responsibility.

There was no immediate confirmation on whether flight operations had been suspended or diverted following the incident.The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with recent military activity affecting energy infrastructure and key transport routes across the region.

Airports and oil storage sites are considered high-value targets due to their strategic and economic importance.

Kuwaiti officials have not released further details on damage assessments or potential security measures following the strike.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a temporary ground stop at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport and Richmond International Airport after reports of the odor at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, which manages aircraft movements in the region.

FAA spokeswoman Kristen Alsop said air traffic controllers had begun returning to their positions and that flight operations were expected to normalize shortly after the halt.

Baltimore-Washington International Airport said on social media that the ground stop had been lifted but warned of lingering delays into the evening.The disruption prompted New York City Emergency Management to advise travelers of significant delays for flights bound for the Washington area.

“Travelers to the DC area should expect possible ground holds, departure delays, and cancellations, and check directly with your airline before heading to the airport,” the agency said.The incident marks the second such disruption this month linked to a chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON facility.

A previous ground stop, lasting about an hour, was traced to a circuit issue, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

In that case, operations resumed after emergency responders confirmed there was no risk to personnel or air traffic control systems.

The situation has intensified following strong rhetoric from both sides and the expected deployment of additional US military assets to the region.

Air travel disruptions have become more visible in recent days, with multiple international carriers adjusting flight paths, suspending services, or extending travel times due to restricted airspace.

Aviation authorities in Europe and elsewhere have advised airlines to avoid certain zones, particularly over Iran and neighbouring countries, as uncertainty continues to grow.

Several airlines have confirmed that they are closely monitoring developments and responding in real time to the evolving security environment

These decisions are based on risk assessments that consider military movements, diplomatic signals, and the potential for sudden escalation affecting civilian aviation routes.

Dutch carrier KLM has announced that it will avoid flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel, and several Gulf countries until further notice.

The airline stated that this move is purely precautionary and reflects its commitment to operational safety amid heightened geopolitical risks in the region.

Air France has taken a slightly different approach by resuming its Dubai service after a brief suspension, while confirming that it continues to evaluate conditions continuously.

The airline emphasised that flight operations are subject to change depending on security assessments and guidance from international aviation bodies.

Germany’s Lufthansa has also implemented strict measures, choosing to bypass Iranian and Iraqi airspace and limiting certain regional routes to daytime operations only.

The airline acknowledged that these restrictions could result in flight cancellations or delays but prioritised passenger safety over schedule certainty.

British Airways temporarily suspended flights to Bahrain earlier in the month as a precaution, though services have since resumed.

The airline stated that it remains vigilant and will continue to review the situation closely, highlighting that decisions may change quickly if conditions deteriorate.

Finnair has confirmed that it no longer flies through Iraqi airspace and has rerouted flights to destinations such as Doha and Dubai via alternative paths, including over Saudi Arabia.

The airline had already been avoiding Iranian, Syrian, and Israeli airspace due to longstanding security considerations.

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air has also adjusted operations, avoiding both Iranian and Iraqi airspace.

As a result, some westbound flights from Gulf airports now require refuelling and crew-change stops in European cities, increasing overall travel time for passengers.

Aviation analysts note that such rerouting increases fuel consumption, operational costs, and flight durations, which may eventually impact ticket prices if tensions persist. However, airlines have stressed that safety remains the overriding factor guiding these decisions.

Passengers travelling to or from the Middle East are being advised to check flight statuses regularly and allow extra time for journeys, as further changes remain possible.

With diplomatic signals still uncertain, airlines are expected to maintain a cautious stance in the coming weeks.