Airlines alter timetables over Middle East violence

Several major airlines including British Airways are altering their timetables to the Middle East as violence escalates in the region.

BA has banned its crews from overnight stays in Israel amid safety fears.

It also cancelled two flights from London to Tel Aviv.

A spokeswoman for BA said the move was temporary but could be extended if the violence continues.

German airline Lufthansa also altered schedules to avoid crews staying overnight in Israel.

Itzhak Zaroni, a spokesman for the airline, said: "Our crews are afraid to stay overnight in Tel Aviv. Lufthansa has a commitment to passengers but also its crews."

Other airlines to change their schedules include KLM, Swissair and Air France.

The Foreign Office continues to advise against travel to the West Bank and Gaza and to the Israel/Lebanon and Israel/Gaza border areas.