Caretaker Public Works & Transport Minister Hamieh (third from right) sitting next to CDR Chairman Jisr and MEA CEO Hout. (Credit: NNA)
Caretaker Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh addressed the ongoing debate over the development of Qleyaat airport in Akkar and other potential airport projects, stating on Tuesday that "a budget approved by Parliament is required for a comprehensive master plan for the country’s airports." Hamieh made these remarks in response to questions during a parliamentary Public Works Committee meeting, amid growing calls from the opposition MPs to expand Lebanon’s airport infrastructure.
Opposition forces in Lebanon often argue that the Beirut airport, the country's sole civilian airfield and located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, is under Hezbollah's influence. They claim this makes the airport a target for Israeli threats and subject to boycotts by foreign airlines. Hezbollah has been in open conflict with Israel since Oct. 8, 2023, after it opened a "support front" for Gaza, where war had erupted the previous day.
Last Sunday, Hezbollah retaliated for the assassination of its military leader, Fouad Shukur, by launching more than 300 Katyusha rockets into northern Israel. The clashes between the two caused airlines to cancel flights to both countries.
Hamieh, who is closely associated with Hezbollah, was at Beirut airport on Tuesday to commence the construction of an airport "fast track lane" for departing travelers, aimed at easing the flow of arrivals into the terminal. When asked by a journalist about the possibility of opening new airports in the country, he defended the government's actions, saying it has "managed to ensure the continuity of services in all institutions without exception, especially those under the Public Works and Transport Ministry."
"We are not opposed to the development of Rene Moawad Airport in Qleyaat, but ultimately, we need a budget approved by Parliament," he added. He recalled that on July 20, 1998, a study was presented for the development of the Rayak (Bekaa) and Qleyaat airfields, which aimed to accommodate some daytime flights, encouraging the development of remote areas.
However, according to him, all the studies, accumulated in the ministry since 1998, indicate that an agreement with Syrian authorities is necessary for Qleyaat to function, as it is only seven kilometers from the border, and the intervention of Syrian air traffic control is essential for planes landing in that area.
The press conference was attended by the president of the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), Nabil Jisr — in charge of the fast track lane project — the director of Beirut airport, Fady Hassan, MEA CEO Mohammad al-Hout, and others.
Hamieh explained that the project dates back to 2019 but was interrupted due to the financial crisis, which led to the devaluation of the national currency and the termination of the contract with the contractor.
"Today, we are resuming this project, which will increase Beirut airport's capacity by one million travelers per year by streamlining the flow of arrivals," he said. He added that the funds for this "fast track lane" come from the airport's revenues and contributions from airlines, not from a new grant or loan.