Trump revokes decades-old restrictions on US-Lebanon flights

US President Donald Trump has abolished longstanding restrictions on US-Lebanon flights, removing an impediment to resuming direct air links. Mr Trump declared the restrictions imposed by four presidential determinations from 1985, 1992, 1998 and 2007 "no longer essential" to guarantee aircraft security. He signed the decree on September 30, which was later published in the Federal Register.

The decision followed a July meeting between Mr Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, where the Lebanese leader requested the restrictions be lifted. Mr Aoun welcomed the move, calling it "evidence of confidence in the Lebanese state's efforts to ensure civil aviation security". He thanked Mr Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their support.

Lebanese ambassador to Washington, Nada Mouawad, also endorsed the decision, stating it "opens the door to the resumption of direct flights between Lebanon and the United States". The restrictions were first introduced in 1985 by the Ronald Reagan administration following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 by Hezbollah militants, leading to a 17-day hostage crisis.

Over the years, subsequent administrations gradually relaxed the restrictions, allowing cargo transport in 1992, ticket sales and stopover flights in 1998, and exemptions for certain American carriers in 2007. However, these measures still prevented the restoration of direct commercial flights between the two nations. Mr Trump's decision repeals all four presidential determinations and instructs the US Secretary of Transportation to implement the change immediately, removing any conflicting regulations, rules or orders.

Nevertheless, the lifting of the restrictions does not guarantee that direct commercial flights will resume immediately.