The initiative by US President Donald Trump to reinstate direct flights between the United States and Lebanon has encountered significant obstacles. A report from the United Nations aviation agency revealed that Beirut’s main airport lacks valid certification, hindering the revival of air services. Trump announced plans for this move in July and subsequently signed an order in September to facilitate direct flights, which had been suspended for nearly four decades following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985.

Despite the announcement, the resumption of flights is contingent upon safety evaluations by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The Lebanese embassy in Washington described Trump’s order as a crucial step towards restoring air connectivity between the two nations. However, the findings from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have raised concerns regarding the airport’s operational standards.

The ICAO’s technical assistance mission, conducted in July, highlighted various deficiencies at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. These issues reportedly complicate the implementation of Trump’s directive, which followed a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The US has shown support for Aoun amid ongoing efforts to disarm Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran.

Safety Concerns and Operational Readiness

The ICAO report, submitted to Lebanon in September at the request of the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), outlined critical shortcomings in the airport’s emergency preparedness. Specifically, the firefighting capabilities at the airport are only suited for single-aisle aircraft and not for the larger twin-aisle jets typically used for long-haul flights. Additionally, the airport reportedly lacks an emergency response plan, and its conditional certification has lapsed.

The report emphasised the urgency of addressing these issues to maintain the airport’s operational status. Furthermore, it noted that the LCAA does not have sufficient qualified inspectors for air traffic control licensing and lacks a fully operational and independent authority for investigating aircraft accidents. These findings were discussed during a recent workshop involving ICAO, Lebanese officials, and representatives from the FAA.

In response to the ICAO’s concerns, Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, stated that steps are being taken to rectify the identified deficiencies. The LCAA aims to initiate the certification process starting Saturday, with conditional certification expected shortly thereafter. Rasamny indicated that many of the issues highlighted had already been recognised by the LCAA and that corrective measures were underway, although progress has been hindered by ongoing conflicts.

Regional Tensions Affecting Air Travel

The geopolitical climate in the Middle East has further complicated air travel, with foreign airlines avoiding large areas of airspace due to missile and drone threats. This situation escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, which intensified regional hostilities. Recent attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia have heightened security concerns across the region.

Despite these challenges, Lebanon’s national carrier has received commendation for maintaining air navigation services, which are vital for an economy reliant on tourism and remittances. However, three officials from US airlines, speaking anonymously, expressed doubts about the immediate resumption of flights to Lebanon due to ongoing security risks.

While direct flights between Beirut and the United States are currently unavailable, connections do exist between Lebanon and several major European cities. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency acknowledged awareness of the ICAO report and stated that EU airlines are required to conduct their own safety assessments before commencing operations at any airport.

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