TUS AIR airplane. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — Lebanese officials banned the Cypriot airline TUS AIR from flying in Lebanese airspace or landing at Beirut International Airport after it came to light that an Israeli corporation owns shares in the airline, reported the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Civil Aviation Director General Fadi al-Hassan made the announcement in a statement relayed by the NNA last Friday.
According to the General Directorate of Economy and Commerce, the Cypriot firm is 49.9 percent owned by the Israeli corporation Knafaim Holdings, Ltd.
“The restriction will be imposed until further notice, pending recommendations from the upcoming meeting of the liaison officers of regional offices on the boycott of Israel to prohibit any kind of contact with the company,” said Hassan in his statement.
The Israeli shares were discovered by Hassan, who then informed the General Directorate of Economy and Commerce.
The decision was made given that “the Directorate had previously requested not to deal with airlines partially owned by Israeli companies,” Hassan's statement concluded.
In 1955, Lebanon passed a law boycotting contact with Israelis or economic relations with Israeli companies.
The law prohibits any person or entity from having contact with Israelis or persons residing in Israel. It also prohibits all types of transactions — commercial, financial or otherwise — with Israel. Violation of the law is punishable by three to ten years of hard labor.
Additionally, Article 285 of the Penal Code punishes commercial transactions between a Lebanese citizen or resident of Lebanon and a national or resident of an enemy country.