Lebanon airport fails to meet UN certification requirements, report finds

Lebanon’s primary airport has been found to be lacking valid certification and facing regulatory issues that could impede the resumption of direct flights to the United States, according to a recent UN aviation agency report. The United States recently signed an order to permit direct flights from the US to Lebanon, reversing a four-decade suspension following the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in Beirut.

While the US Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration still need to conduct safety assessments, the Lebanese embassy in Washington hailed President Trump’s decision as a significant step towards reestablishing air service between Lebanon and the US.

Nonetheless, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN’s aviation agency, identified shortcomings at Rafic Hariri International Airport in July, which could complicate the US administration’s plans. The report, commissioned by the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), highlighted issues such as inadequate firefighting resources for twin-aisle aircraft, the absence of an emergency plan, and an expired conditional certification.

The ICAO emphasized that these matters must be resolved promptly to maintain the airport’s operational status.

The report was shared with Lebanon in September and has been discussed at a recent two-day workshop involving officials from ICAO, the Lebanese government, and the FAA. Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, affirmed that the country is actively addressing the concerns, with airport certification expected to begin soon. However, the progress has been slowed by ongoing conflict, with Israeli troops still present in southern Lebanon and conducting strikes despite a US-brokered framework agreement.

Regional security concerns surrounding air travel in the Middle East have heightened further, with foreign airlines avoiding large swathes of airspace due to missile and drone threats following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. The US State Department advises against travel to Lebanon due to security concerns, and the FAA has called for caution in flights operating in Lebanese airspace amidst heightened military activity in and around Syria.

Despite these challenges, Lebanon’s aviation authorities and national carrier have maintained air navigation services and flights, supporting an economy reliant on tourism and remittances. The EU’s Aviation Safety Agency is aware of the ICAO report and notes that European airlines must conduct their own assessments of the airport’s safety and operational readiness before resuming services.