Roberta Aguirre
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport and is located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, 9 kilometres from the city centre. The airport has been the site of several violent events, including the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 2006 Lebanon War, during which Israeli missile strikes damaged all three runways. In 2025, the airport was the scene of a Hezbollah-organised riot, and the group has historically used the airport for smuggling. Recent efforts by Lebanon, Israel, and the US have been made to purge Hezbollah from the airport, including firing staff with links to the group and implementing new surveillance mechanisms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport |
| Location | Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon |
| Distance from Beirut city centre | 9 kilometres |
| Management | Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Public Works and Transport |
| Airlines | Middle East Airlines (MEA), Trans Mediterranean Airways, Emirates |
| History | Lost its status as a premier hub during the Lebanese Civil War in 1975; damaged by Israeli shelling in 1982; site of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing; damaged by missile strikes in 2006; damaged by a massive explosion in 2020 |
| Current situation | Security overhaul to prevent smuggling by Hezbollah; staff linked to Hezbollah fired; new AI surveillance mechanisms deployed |
| Travel advisories | Australian Government advises against travel to Lebanon due to volatile security situation; US government permits transportation services to Lebanon for humanitarian purposes |
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What You'll Learn
- Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport
- The airport has been used by Hezbollah for smuggling and weapons caches
- Lebanon has conducted a security overhaul to prevent Hezbollah's use of the airport
- The airport has been damaged by Israeli military shelling and missile strikes
- The Australian government advises against travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, previously known as Beirut International Airport, is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) from the centre of Beirut, in the city's southern suburbs. The airport is named after Rafic Hariri, the former Lebanese Prime Minister who was assassinated in 2005. Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is the main port of entry into Lebanon, along with the Port of Beirut. It is managed and operated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which operates within the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
The airport has a volatile history. It lost its status as a premier hub of the Middle East with the start of the 15-year-long Lebanese Civil War in 1975 and lost virtually all of its airline services, except for two Lebanese carriers. 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. The airport's runways were renovated in 1982 and 1984, and a ten-year reconstruction program was launched in 1994, which included the construction of another terminal, two runways, a fire station, and more.
On 13 July 2006, all three runways of the airport sustained significant damage from missile strikes by the Israeli Air Force, as they claimed that Hezbollah was receiving weapons shipments there. The Lebanese Government declared the airport closed until further notice. The airport reopened to commercial flights on 17 August 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, Wafik Shoukeir, who was linked to Hezbollah, was fired. Following the dismissals, Hezbollah operatives disrupted the airport's activities, and armed fighters took to the streets of Beirut, clashing with supporters of the government. In February 2025, Hezbollah supporters faced off with Lebanese soldiers during a Hezbollah-organized riot to block the road to the airport. Lebanon has since conducted a major overhaul of security at the airport to prevent smuggling by Hezbollah, including firing staff linked to the group, detaining smugglers, and deploying new surveillance mechanisms using AI.
The airport has also been affected by civil unrest in Beirut, with protests sometimes blocking the main highways between central Beirut and the airport. In August 2020, a massive explosion in Beirut resulted in moderate damage to the airport's terminal buildings. Due to the volatile security situation, some commercial airlines have suspended their services to the airport, and it could close without warning.
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The airport has been used by Hezbollah for smuggling and weapons caches
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport. It is located in southern Beirut, just 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) from the city centre. The airport is the main port of entry into the country, along with the Port of Beirut.
The airport has been at the centre of controversy due to its alleged use by Hezbollah for smuggling and storing weapons caches. Lebanon's Hezbollah has been accused of amassing a large cache of Iranian weapons at the airport, according to whistleblowers and anonymous airport workers. These sources claim that Hezbollah has been storing a variety of weapons, including Falaq unguided artillery rockets, Fateh-110 and M-600 short-range missiles, AT-14 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, Burkan short-range ballistic missiles, and RDX explosives.
In response to these allegations, Lebanon's Hezbollah-affiliated Transport Minister, Ali Hamieh, held a press conference at the airport to dismiss these claims as "ridiculous." He invited journalists and ambassadors to tour the airport's facilities to prove that there was "nothing to hide." Lebanese ministers Abdallah Bou Habib, Walid Nassar, and Ziad Makary also led tours for international media, but refused access to reporters for a key cargo depot.
Lebanon has taken steps to address the issue of Hezbollah's influence at the airport. In 2018, the Lebanese government discovered hidden cameras installed by Iran and Hezbollah in the airport terminals, leading to the firing of the airport's security officer, Wafik Shoukeir, who was linked to Hezbollah. More recently, Lebanon conducted a major overhaul of security at the airport, firing staff linked to Hezbollah, detaining smugglers, and deploying new AI surveillance mechanisms. These efforts have been praised by Israeli and US officials, who are hopeful that the Lebanese government will regain full control of the country's ports of entry from Hezbollah.
The situation at the airport has escalated concerns that it could become a military target for Israel, especially amid rising tensions between the two sides. In the past, the airport has been a target of Israeli attacks due to its alleged use by Hezbollah for receiving weapons shipments.
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Lebanon has conducted a security overhaul to prevent Hezbollah's use of the airport
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, Lebanon's only international airport, has been used by Hezbollah for its activities. In 2006, Israeli Air Force targeted the airport's runways with missile strikes, claiming that the airport was a military target as Hezbollah was receiving weapons shipments there.
Lebanon has taken steps to address this issue by conducting a significant security overhaul at the airport to prevent Hezbollah's use of it. Staff members linked to Hezbollah have been fired, smugglers have been detained, and new AI surveillance mechanisms have been implemented. These changes have been praised by Israeli and US officials, who are hopeful that the Lebanese government will regain full control over the country's ports of entry.
The airport, located in southern Beirut, is managed and operated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which functions within the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. It is the main port of entry into Lebanon, along with the Port of Beirut.
The security overhaul comes after reports of Hezbollah's control over the airport. In 2024, anonymous airport workers claimed that Hezbollah stored weapons at the airport, with a high-ranking official overseeing the customs shipments. In 2020, the European Union invested 3.5 million euros to enhance security at the airport, and recently pledged an additional billion euros to support Lebanon's economy and strengthen its institutions.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam acknowledged the positive impact of the changes, stating, "You can feel the difference." Senior Lebanese security and military officials have affirmed that all planes are now subject to security checks, and flights from Iran have been suspended since February.
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The airport has been damaged by Israeli military shelling and missile strikes
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's only operational commercial airport and is located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, 9 kilometres from the city centre. The airport has a history of conflict and has been a site of tension between Israel and Hezbollah.
In 1982, during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the airport was badly damaged by Israeli shelling. The airport was also the site of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which resulted in the deaths of 241 American servicemen. In 2006, during the Lebanon War, the Israeli Air Force targeted the airport with missile strikes, damaging all three runways and rendering them inoperable. The Lebanese Government was forced to close the airport until repairs could be made.
More recently, there have been efforts by Lebanon and Israel to purge Hezbollah from the airport and prevent smuggling activities. Lebanon has conducted a major overhaul of security, including firing staff linked to Hezbollah, deploying new surveillance mechanisms, and deterring smugglers. These actions have been praised by Israeli and US officials as a step towards the Lebanese government taking full control of the country's ports of entry.
Hezbollah, however, has denied allegations of controlling the airport and has asserted its presence as part of the Lebanese system. Despite these tensions, the airport has undergone renovations and expansions to improve security and passenger experience.
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The Australian government advises against travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation
The Australian government advises its citizens against travelling to Lebanon, including transiting through Beirut airport, due to the volatile security situation in the country. The Smartraveller platform, which provides travel advice and safety information for Australians travelling overseas, has issued an update recommending travellers who wish to leave Lebanon to do so as soon as possible via commercial flights.
The security situation in Lebanon is considered dangerous and unpredictable, with a risk of deterioration with little to no notice. There is an increased threat of military and terrorist attacks, ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and military action in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The conflict could spread to other areas of Lebanon, and Israeli military airstrikes in Beirut and other parts of the country could happen without warning. Beirut airport, officially known as Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, could close without warning, leaving travellers unable to leave Lebanon for an extended period.
The airport is the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon and has been the site of significant conflict-related incidents in the past. During the 15-year-long Lebanese Civil War, the airport lost most of its airline services and was closed for certain periods. In 1982, the airport was damaged by Israeli shelling, and in 1990, a massive reconstruction program was launched to repair the damage. More recently, in 2006, the airport's runways were damaged by missile strikes from the Israeli Air Force, resulting in a temporary closure.
In addition to the volatile security situation, travellers to Lebanon may encounter other challenges. Lebanese General Security may check travellers' names against a database of wanted individuals, potentially resulting in detention and the need to prove one's identity. GPS signals may be blocked in parts of the country, disrupting navigational apps and devices. It is recommended to avoid using shared or street taxis, especially at night, and to follow the Embassy's social media accounts for up-to-date information.
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Frequently asked questions
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, previously known as Beirut International Airport, is the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon. It is located in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from the city centre.
Beirut airport has faced several security issues, including:
- Israeli military operations and airstrikes
- Civil unrest and violent protests
- Hezbollah-organized riots and road blocks
- Smuggling by Hezbollah
- Hezbollah's storage of weapons and installation of hidden cameras
Lebanon has conducted a major overhaul of security at the Beirut airport to prevent smuggling by Hezbollah. This includes firing staff linked to the group, detaining smugglers, and deploying new AI surveillance mechanisms.
