Roberta Aguirre
Lebanon's Beirut Airport reopened in December 2024, paving the way for a festive season and driving economic recovery and global connectivity. However, there is ongoing discussion about the Qlayaat Airport reopening in Lebanon. The airport infrastructure is expected to be finalized by mid-2025, with a projected completion time before summer 2026 to capture part of the summer tourism and expat demand. The airport may also be renamed to include the word Tripoli, as it already appears as Tripoli KYE on Flightradar24.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Qlayaat Airport |
| Reopening Timeline | Summer of 2026 |
| Airlines | Middle East Airlines of Lebanon, Turkish Airlines, and other Turkish low-cost airlines |
| Airport Operations | Limited operations initially, not open 24/7 |
| Infrastructure | Road infrastructure between Tripoli and Qlayaat will be expanded |
| Purpose | Capture part of the summer tourism and expat demand |
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What You'll Learn
Beirut Airport reopened in December 2024
Lebanon is preparing to reopen Beirut Airport, also known as Rafic Hariri International Airport, in mid-December 2024. This development comes after a period of closure due to the recent conflict with Israel. The decision to reopen the airport is a strategic move to boost economic recovery and enhance global connectivity.
Ali Hamieh, Lebanon's acting Minister of Public Works and Transportation, confirmed on December 4, 2024, that airlines are now authorized to resume their services to and from the airport. This announcement is well-timed to meet the growing demand for travel during the busy Christmas and New Year holiday season. Beirut Airport's reopening is significant as it will once again connect Lebanon to the majority of Arab and international flights, with Middle East Airlines of Lebanon being the sole carrier operating flights during the conflict.
While Lebanon's ports remained operational throughout the conflict, the road infrastructure in southern cities and areas, such as Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley, suffered extensive damage. The reopening of Beirut Airport will be a welcome change, offering improved access and connectivity for travelers to and from Lebanon. It is expected to set the stage for a vibrant festive season, driving economic growth and reconnecting Lebanon with the world.
The resumption of flights to Beirut Airport will be a positive step towards recovery and a return to normalcy for the country. It remains to be seen how the airport's operations will unfold in the coming weeks, but the authorization for airlines to resume services is a promising sign for both travelers and the aviation industry. Beirut Airport's reopening in December 2024 marks a significant milestone in Lebanon's efforts to rebuild and restore its global connections.
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Lebanon's ports remained operational during the conflict with Israel
Despite the conflict, shipping and insurance sources reported that ships continued to call at Israeli ports, facing threats from Yemen's Houthi militia in the Red Sea. The Houthis, backed by Iran, claimed to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Gaza conflict. As a result of their attacks, war risk premiums for vessels sailing through the Red Sea to Israel from Asia increased.
During this period, Israel's ports in the northern city of Haifa also maintained normal operations, despite rocket fire from Hezbollah in nearby Lebanon. Haifa handles much of Israel's vital seaborne trade. The government's port authority reassured that no changes had been made at Israeli ports, ranging from Eilat in the Red Sea to the Mediterranean ports of Haifa and Ashdod.
While Lebanon's ports remained functional, the country's road infrastructure suffered considerable damage, particularly in southern cities and areas like Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah resulted in a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, impacting at least 34 towns and villages along the border. Despite a ceasefire being reached on November 27, the situation remained fragile, with Israeli forces continuing military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
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Lebanon's road infrastructure suffered damage during the conflict
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Satellite Centre (EUSC) in Torrejon conducted a rapid preliminary damage assessment of the Beirut area and three districts in South Lebanon: Sour, Bent Jbail, and Marjayoun. This assessment covered 89% of the area south of the Litani River. The short-term goal was to provide a preliminary damage and needs assessment before the planned donor meeting on 31st August, with the medium-term goal of establishing a spatial data infrastructure to support the reconstruction process.
The conflict caused long-term indirect effects, including the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure, which disrupted public services such as healthcare and education. This, in turn, infringed on the human rights of the Lebanese people. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas by the Israeli military made it impossible for many residents to return to their homes, with nearly 100,000 people still displaced as of February 2025, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM).
In addition to the physical damage, Lebanon's road network faces challenges due to its complex security environment. Armed checkpoints maintained by various security forces are common and can cause traffic jams and unease for road users. The country's economic hardships and political unrest have also impacted the upkeep and maintenance of roads, resulting in deteriorating road conditions, limited signage, and poor illumination, which pose safety hazards for drivers.
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Tensions along the Lebanon-Syria border in January 2025
Tensions escalated along the Lebanon-Syria border in January 2025, amidst a backdrop of significant political and social shifts in the region. The ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria had raised concerns among neighbouring countries, including Lebanon, about potential instability and chaos spilling over across the border.
In eastern Syria, Turkish-backed fighters continued their conflict with Kurdish forces, who had established an autonomous region. Meanwhile, clashes erupted between forces loyal to the new regime and holdouts of Assadist militias, with arrests of former officials and searches conducted near the central city of Homs. This volatile mix of ongoing conflicts and lingering loyalties to the previous regime contributed to the tense atmosphere along the border.
Adding to the complexity, Israeli forces had taken preemptive action by bombarding military sites within Syria and deploying troops into a former buffer zone, citing the need to prevent potential attacks from Syrian territory. Jordan also partially closed its ground crossing with Syria, reflecting the cautious approach taken by neighbouring countries in response to the uncertain situation.
During this period of heightened tensions, a specific incident occurred where Syrian militants fired at Lebanese soldiers along the border, wounding four Lebanese soldiers. This incident further exacerbated the fragile relationship between the two countries and underscored the challenges faced by Syria's new de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in restoring stability and order. Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Lebanon engaged in discussions with al-Sharaa, who assured him that Syrian authorities were working to restore calm and prevent further incidents.
The tensions along the Lebanon-Syria border occurred concurrently with Syria's efforts to reopen its main international airport in Damascus and restore normalcy after the uprising. The new government's attempts to re-establish connections with the outside world through aviation came at a time when the region was grappling with the aftermath of the uprising, ongoing conflicts, and border tensions.
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Qlayaat Airport is expected to open in summer 2026
The Qlayaat Airport in Lebanon is expected to open in summer 2026. The airport, also known as René Mouawad Airport, was constructed in 1934 and served as a domestic civil airport from 1988 to 1990. It was used by Middle East Airlines (MEA) during the Civil War due to security concerns and frequent road closures connecting Beirut to the north.
The Lebanese government has shown determination to revive the rehabilitation project of Qlayaat Airport, with the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, making it part of a comprehensive vision for air transport. The estimated cost for renovating the airport is around $50 to $200 million, and the projected timeline for these works is between one and three years.
The airport is located in the Akkar region of northern Lebanon, just seven kilometers from the Syrian border, 26 kilometers from Tripoli, and 105 kilometers from Beirut. It is considered superior to Beirut's airport due to its reduced vulnerability to sandstorms. The 3,000-meter runway at Qlayaat Airport is suitable for limited air traffic, and the airport could accommodate commercial flights in case of emergency without immediately requiring extensive renovations.
The optimal completion time before the summer of 2026 will allow the airport to capture part of the summer tourism and expat demand. Turkish Airlines and other Turkish low-cost airlines are expected to be among the first carriers operating from Qlayaat Airport, benefiting from the proximity and demand for flights between Turkey and Lebanon.
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Frequently asked questions
Lebanon's Beirut Airport has already reopened as of mid-December 2024, following a hiatus due to the recent conflict with Israel.
Yes, the Qlayaat Airport in Lebanon is currently closed. The airport infrastructure is expected to be finalized by summer 2026.
The most likely airline to fly out of Qlayaat will be Turkish Airlines and other Turkish low-cost airlines due to proximity and demand.
Yes, Syria's main international airport in Damascus was closed in December 2024 but has since reopened. The Aleppo International Airport in Syria was also closed in November 2024 but has since reopened as well.
