Foreign airlines set to return to Beirut and Tel Aviv

All foreign airlines are expected to resume normal operations to and from Beirut International Airport (AIB) and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport between December 5 and 15, following disruptions caused by recent conflicts.

Since the escalation of hostilities on September 23, many foreign carriers had suspended their operations, leaving a significant gap in air travel services. During this period, Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s national carrier, continued operations despite daily Israeli air raids near Beirut’s southern suburbs, close to the airport. MEA’s commitment ensured connectivity for travelers under challenging conditions.

In Israel, only domestic carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir maintained flights to Europe, Asia, and the United States, providing limited international travel options during the conflict.

Return of International Carriers

Foreign airlines, including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Air France, British Airways, and others, are anticipated to resume flights at Ben Gurion Airport by mid-December. Their return signals a normalization of air traffic and improved security conditions in the region.

The resumption of flights by international carriers to both Beirut and Tel Aviv reflects efforts to stabilize travel in the region after months of tension. This development is expected to alleviate the travel bottlenecks experienced by passengers and restore a degree of normalcy to regional air travel.