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Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon. It has had a turbulent history, losing its status as a premier hub of the Middle East during the Lebanese Civil War. The airport has also been damaged by Israeli shelling, missile strikes, and a bombing that killed 241 American servicemen. In 2008, the Lebanese government discovered hidden cameras planted by Iran and Hezbollah, leading to clashes with government supporters and increased Hezbollah control over the airport. Despite these challenges, the airport has undergone renovations and expansions, including new customs counters and improved security equipment.
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What You'll Learn
- Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon
- The airport was badly damaged during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon
- In 2006, Israeli Air Force missile strikes damaged all three runways
- In 2008, hidden cameras linked to Iran and Hezbollah were discovered in the terminals
- The airport has been rated poorly for safety by the International Civil Aviation Organization
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (Arabic: مطار رفيق الحريري الدولي بيروت; French: Aéroport international de Beyrouth - Rafic Hariri) is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport. It is located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) from the city centre. The airport is named after former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005. It is the main entry point into the country, along with the Port of Beirut, and is the hub for Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA).
The airport has had a turbulent history. During the 15-year-long Lebanese Civil War, which began in 1975, it lost its status as a premier hub in the Middle East. Despite the conflict, the terminal was renovated in 1977, only to be badly damaged by Israeli shelling during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The airport was also the site of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which killed 241 American servicemen. By the end of the war in 1990, the airport was in dire need of repair and underwent a massive ten-year reconstruction program starting in 1994. This included the construction of an additional terminal, two runways, a fire station, and a power plant, among other facilities.
In 2006, during the Lebanon War, all three runways of the airport were damaged by missile strikes from the Israeli Air Force, which claimed that the airport was being used by Hezbollah to receive weapons shipments. The airport was closed until further notice, but it reopened to commercial flights in August 2006, marking the resumption of air travel to and from Beirut after a five-week closure.
In 2008, a controversy arose when the Lebanese government discovered hidden cameras in the terminals, which were linked to Iran and Hezbollah. This led to clashes between Hezbollah operatives and government supporters in Beirut. Despite these challenges, the airport continued to operate and underwent further renovations and expansions in 2019, including improvements to security, customs, and baggage handling systems. Unfortunately, in 2020, a massive explosion in Beirut caused moderate damage to the terminal buildings.
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The airport was badly damaged during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport. It is located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, 9 kilometres from the city centre. The airport is the main port of entry into Lebanon, alongside the Port of Beirut.
The airport was a site of conflict during the invasion, with hundreds of Palestinian and Lebanese Shia militants killed while defending it. The airport sustained damage from Israeli shelling, and by the end of the war in 1990, it needed to undergo a massive reconstruction program. The Lebanese Civil War, which began in 1975, had already caused the airport to lose its status as one of the premier hubs of the Middle East, and the 1982 invasion further exacerbated this decline.
The 1982 invasion, also known as the First Lebanon War, resulted in widespread destruction and casualties. The Lebanese authorities reported a total of 19,085 killed and 30,000 wounded, with combatants accounting for 57% of the dead and civilians making up the remaining 43%. The Israeli government, however, maintained that only 1,000 Palestinian fighters and 800 Lebanese civilians died during the invasion, excluding the siege of Beirut. The invasion also led to the emergence of Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shia Islamist group that waged a guerrilla war against the Israeli occupation until the IDF's final withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.
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In 2006, Israeli Air Force missile strikes damaged all three runways
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon, has had a tumultuous history. The airport was previously a premier hub in the Middle East but lost this status with the Lebanese Civil War in 1975. Despite the conflict, the airport was renovated in 1977, only to be damaged by Israeli shelling during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The airport was also the site of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which killed 241 American servicemen.
The 2006 attack was not an isolated incident. In 2008, the Lebanese government discovered hidden cameras in the airport's terminals, which were linked to Hezbollah. This discovery led to clashes between Hezbollah operatives and supporters of the government in the streets of Beirut. Despite these challenges, the airport has undergone improvements, including the renovation and expansion of departure and arrival terminals in 2019.
More recently, in 2024, Israeli airstrikes again caused large explosions in Beirut, including one close to the airport. These strikes were part of a wider campaign targeting Hezbollah, which Israel and several other countries have designated as a terrorist organisation. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in numerous casualties and the displacement of over one million people across Lebanon.
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In 2008, hidden cameras linked to Iran and Hezbollah were discovered in the terminals
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport and the main port of entry into the country. In 2008, hidden cameras linked to Iran and Hezbollah were discovered in the terminals. This incident marked a significant escalation in tensions between the Western-backed Lebanese government and Hezbollah, which had been backed by Iran and Syria.
The discovery of the hidden cameras led to the dismissal of the airport's security officer, Wafik Shoukeir, who was linked to Hezbollah. In response to the dismissals, Hezbollah operatives disrupted the airport's activities, and armed fighters affiliated with the organization took to the streets of Beirut, clashing with supporters of the government. This unrest culminated in agreements between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government, resulting in Hezbollah withdrawing its forces from the streets.
Following the incident, Hezbollah exerted greater control over the airport, leading to an increase in the number of employees from the Shiite community. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) highlighted that Hezbollah's involvement negatively impacted the airport's safety rating, placing it on par with third-world countries.
The 2008 hidden camera incident was not an isolated event but part of a broader context of political tensions and conflict in Lebanon. Beirut's airport has been a focal point in the power struggle between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah, with both sides vying for control over this strategic infrastructure. The airport's significance as a gateway for Iran's weapons supply to Hezbollah further complicates the situation, making it a potential target for Israeli action.
In recent years, efforts have been made to improve security and infrastructure at the airport. In 2019, renovated and expanded departures and arrivals terminals were unveiled, along with new customs counters. Additionally, plans were announced to enhance security through the use of newer equipment, relocation of checkpoints, and the introduction of an improved baggage handling system.
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The airport has been rated poorly for safety by the International Civil Aviation Organization
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon, has had a tumultuous history. The airport was a premier hub in the Middle East until the Lebanese Civil War in 1975, which saw it lose almost all its airline services. Despite the conflict, the terminal was renovated in 1977, only to be damaged by Israeli shelling during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon. The airport was also the site of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which killed 241 American servicemen.
In 2006, during the Lebanon War, the Israeli Air Force targeted the airport's runways with missile strikes, rendering them inoperative. The Lebanese Government was forced to close the airport, and it remained shut for almost five weeks.
In 2008, the Lebanese government discovered hidden cameras installed by Iran and Hezbollah in the airport's terminals. This incident led to the firing of the airport's security officer, Wafik Shoukeir, who had links to Hezbollah. As a result, Hezbollah operatives disrupted the airport's activities, and armed fighters took to the streets of Beirut, clashing with government supporters.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has given Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport a low safety rating due to Hezbollah's involvement. The airport's security issues and history of conflict-related damage have contributed to this poor rating.
Despite these challenges, the airport has undergone renovations and expansions to its departures and arrivals terminals, including new customs counters. Efforts to improve security and efficiency are ongoing, with plans to relocate security checkpoints, enhance baggage handling, and introduce a fast-track system for premium passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon. It is located in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut, 9 kilometres from the city centre.
The Lebanese Civil War began in April 1975 and caused the airport to lose almost all its airline services. The terminal was renovated in 1977 but sustained damage during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The airport was closed for a period after Israeli missile strikes rendered its runways inoperable in 2006.
In 2008, the Lebanese government discovered that Iran and Hezbollah had concealed a network of hidden cameras in the terminals. The airport's security officer, who was linked to Hezbollah, was fired. Hezbollah operatives disrupted the airport's activities, and armed fighters took to the streets of Beirut, clashing with government supporters.
On 1 June 2019, the airport launched renovated and expanded departures and arrivals terminals with new customs counters. Security improvements were also announced, including the use of newer equipment, the relocation of security checkpoints, and the installation of an improved baggage handling system.
Today, the airport is operational and serves as a hub for Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines. It has been described as "nice and simple" with "very nice shops and lounges". However, some travellers have complained about long queues and rude staff.
