Trump revokes decades-old restrictions on US-Lebanon flights

U.S. President Donald Trump has lifted decades-old restrictions on flights between the U.S. and Lebanon, eliminating a significant barrier to re-establishing direct air links. The restrictions, imposed by four presidential determinations in 1985, 1992, 1998, and 2007, were deemed "no longer necessary" to ensure aircraft security, according to Trump.

The decision was signed on September 30 and published in the Federal Register. It followed a meeting between Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House in July, where Aoun requested the restrictions be lifted. Aoun welcomed the move, viewing it as a testament to Lebanon's commitment to civil aviation security. He thanked Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their support.

Lebanese ambassador to Washington, Nada Mouawad, also celebrated the decision, stating it "opens the door to the resumption of direct flights between Lebanon and the United States." The restrictions were originally introduced in 1985 following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 by Hezbollah militants, who killed a U.S. Navy diver during a 17-day hostage crisis.

Subsequent administrations gradually eased the restrictions, allowing cargo transport in 1992, ticket sales and flights with stops in 1998, and exemptions for certain American carriers in 2007. However, direct commercial flights between the two nations have not resumed. Trump's decision voids all four presidential determinations and orders the Secretary of Transportation to implement the change immediately, including removing any conflicting regulations.