An MEA aircraft on the tarmac at Beirut international airport. (Credit: P.H.B./L'Orient Le-Jour)
Middle East Airlines (MEA) announced on Tuesday that most flights scheduled from August 14 to 18, 2024, will proceed as planned, with some adjustments to flight schedules.
The airline said that between two and eight flights a day may be delayed from Wednesday to Sunday due to "technical reasons related to the distribution of insurance risks for aircraft between Lebanon and other destinations." The majority of affected flights are to Beirut, totaling over forty flights.
Air traffic at Beirut International Airport (AIB) has been significantly disrupted by the ongoing fighting between Hezbollah and Israel along Lebanon's southern border, which began on October 8, coinciding with the war in Gaza, which had started the day before.
MEA's activity declined by 19.49% between October 2023 and May 2024, according to data from Beirut international airport. Since July 29, Beirut has been cut off from services by about 15 airlines due to the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon. Airlines such as Air France and Transavia France have yet to announce the resumption of their flights to the Lebanese capital.
The situation has led to a significant increase in insurance premiums for war and political violence risks. Meanwhile, foreign governments are increasingly urging their nationals to leave Lebanon as soon as possible.
Here is the list of flights affected by the schedule changes:
- Wednesday, August 14:
To Beirut:
From Beirut:
- Thursday, August 15th
To Beirut:
From Beirut:
- Friday, August 16th
To Beirut:
From Beirut:
- Saturday, August 17th
To Beirut:
From Beirut:
- Sunday, August 18th
To Beirut:
From Beirut:
