Canadian charter flights from Lebanon leave hundreds of seats empty, Global Affairs reports

Global Affairs Canada reported that two charter flights from Beirut to Istanbul carried only 275 passengers, leaving 379 seats empty. Not all passengers were Canadian; some were from other countries like Australia and the U.S. The department has increased outreach efforts, contacting over 2,300 Canadians in Lebanon about available flights. Previously, only one-third of those contacted had accepted seats. Nearly 900 seats will be available on upcoming flights. As military operations escalate in Lebanon, some Canadians are struggling to reach the embassy for assistance. Families face challenges due to citizenship issues, complicating their ability to leave the country.