The question posed by L’Orient-Le Jour on Monday echoes a recurring demand in Lebanese political circles: Will this time be different?
Located on the edge of Beirut’s southern suburbs, AIB is dangerously close to Hezbollah’s stronghold © Mena Today
The question posed by L’Orient-Le Jour on Monday echoes a recurring demand in Lebanese political circles: Will this time be different?
Whenever Beirut International Airport (AIB) faces security threats, the debate over establishing a second international airport resurfaces.
This time, even some former allies of Hezbollah, such as Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil, have joined the chorus calling for the immediate reopening of Qleyaat Airport in Akkar.
The renewed urgency follows recent protests by Hezbollah supporters, who blocked access to AIB in response to the Lebanese government's decision to ban two Iranian planes from landing, amid suspicions that they were carrying funds for Hezbollah.
Located on the edge of Beirut’s southern suburbs, AIB is dangerously close to Hezbollah’s stronghold, making it a high-risk facility during times of political or military tensions. The airport’s proximity to the group’s power base exposes passengers, businesses, and tourism to Hezbollah’s influence and potential threats.
If Lebanon wants to revive its economy and tourism sector, it must find safer and more reliable alternatives for international travel.
Qleyaat Airport: A Viable Alternative for Lebanon’s Aviation Sector?
Qleyaat Airport offers a realistic solution to Lebanon’s growing security concerns at AIB:
However, the biggest obstacle remains political. Hezbollah and its allies have historically blocked any attempts to shift air traffic away from Beirut, fearing it would diminish their control over Lebanon’s airspace and financial channels.
If Lebanon is serious about restoring stability and economic growth, the government must prioritize a secure, politically neutral alternative airport. Qleyaat is a logical choice, but unless the Lebanese leadership stands firm against Hezbollah’s interests, this debate will likely fade just like previous attempts to decentralize aviation infrastructure.
The real question remains: Will Lebanon finally take action, or will security concerns at AIB continue to endanger the country’s aviation sector?
By Antoine Khoury
The past few days have unfolded like a geopolitical drama of historic proportions in Lebanon, where Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia militia long considered untouchable, appears to be teetering on the edge of a seismic shift.
In a defiant speech on Friday evening, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, insisted that the group “will not allow anyone to disarm it,” rejecting growing internal calls for the Lebanese state to reclaim exclusive control over the country’s weapons.
yrian Air, the state-owned airline of Syria, has announced the resumption of its direct flights to Dubai and Sharjah, marking a significant development in the gradual normalization of ties between Syria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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