Etihad Suspends Syria Services

DUBAI— The deteriorating situation in Syria has forced Etihad Airways to suspend until further notice flights between Abu Dhabi and Damascus with immediate effect. Affected passengers will be notified and they will be offered a full refund of their unused tickets.

The decision, while not taken lightly, has been made due to the deteriorating security situation in Syria, the airline said. ‘‘The safety of passengers and crew is paramount to the airline,’’ an Etihad spokesperson said.

The Etihad website said flights from Abu Dhabi to Beirut in Lebanon neighbouring Syria will continue as normal.

Last month, Royal Jordanian also suspended flights to Damascus and the northern Syrian city of Aleppo following deepening unrest in Jordan’s northern neighbour.

Etihad, from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.