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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Lebanon audits MEA safety as pilot groups voice conflict concerns

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Lebanon's aviation regulator is auditing Middle East Airlines (MEA) amid concerns from pilot groups about flying near airstrikes and penalties for reporting safety issues.
  • MEA has maintained operations during conflict and financial collapse, assuring it has international guarantees that the airport will remain outside the conflict zone.
  • The airline stated its safety record is strong, with no accidents in 60 years, and that the audit is an annual procedure unrelated to recent concerns.

Lebanon's aviation regulator is conducting a safety audit of Middle East Airlines (MEA) following concerns raised by pilot groups. These groups allege that MEA crews are being asked to fly close to active airstrikes and are penalized for reporting safety incidents, according to letters seen by Reuters.

While some may think that flying civilian aircraft and passengers in high-risk and conflict zones during war conditions is heroic, we consider this an unconscionable risk.

— Ron HayIFALPA President expressing concerns about flying in conflict zones.

The audit scrutinizes Beirut-based MEA, which has continued to operate flights connecting Lebanon even as many foreign airlines have avoided airspace due to missile and drone risks since the conflict with Iran escalated on February 28. MEA, with a fleet of about 20 planes serving the Middle East, Europe, and West Africa, has been lauded in Lebanon for its resilience and support to the economy.

MEA stated that it decided to continue flying after receiving "international guarantees that the airport would remain outside the conflict area." The airline emphasized its strong safety record, noting it has not had an accident in 60 years. MEA also asserted that the audit, conducted over the past two weeks, is a routine annual procedure that was scheduled long in advance and is unrelated to the recent concerns.

The son of the chairman of MEA and the son of the chairman of LCAA are both captains at MEA and flew throughout the period.

— Middle East AirlinesMEA's response regarding its employees' continued flights during hostilities.

However, pilot unions, including the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), have expressed alarm. IFALPA President Ron Hay wrote in a May 12 letter to Lebanon's central bank, which holds a majority stake in MEA, that flying civilian aircraft in high-risk conflict zones during wartime is an "unconscionable risk." These concerns have grown as Israeli airstrikes near Lebanon's only commercial airport have increased this year amid the widening conflict with Hezbollah.

MEA said oversight activity conducted by the LCAA on MEA from May 18 to June 1 confirmed the carrier's compliance with "regulatory and operational safety requirements".

— Middle East AirlinesMEA's statement on the findings of the safety audit.
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Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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