DistantNews
Support us
Lebanon Launches Rehabilitation of Second Airport Amid Regional Tensions
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Energy & Infrastructure

Lebanon Launches Rehabilitation of Second Airport Amid Regional Tensions

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Lebanon has begun rehabilitating its second airport in Qlayaat, Akkar province, aiming for operational status within months.
  • The project aims to boost the economy of Akkar, one of Lebanon's poorest regions, and create jobs.
  • The airport, historically a military base, is slated for a full service opening in November 2026, with initial destinations including Mersin, Istanbul, and Dubai.

Lebanon has officially launched the rehabilitation of its second airport, located in Qlayaat, Akkar province, marking a significant step towards diversifying the country's infrastructure and stimulating economic activity in a historically underserved region.

Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny inaugurated the airport on Saturday, declaring, "Today we are moving from promise to execution." He stated the goal is for the airport to be "operational in a few weeks," initially serving travelers to Mersin, Istanbul, and Dubai, with future plans to extend routes to Saudi Arabia, Cairo, and Athens. The ministry is also in discussions with low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Pegasus.

The rehabilitation project, undertaken by Lebanese company Sky Lounge, is expected to take at least three months, followed by a pilot phase before the airport enters full service in November 2026. Sky Lounge's chairman, Ziad Munla, announced that the passenger terminal will be completed within 90 days after securing necessary approvals. The airport is projected to handle approximately 114,000 passengers in its first year, with capacity increasing to over 600,000 by the fourth year.

Today we are moving from promise to execution.

— Fayez RasamnyLebanese Minister of Transport and Public Works, at the inauguration of the Qlayaat airport rehabilitation.

This initiative holds particular importance for Akkar, one of Lebanon's most impoverished governorates, which suffers from high unemployment. The airport's development is anticipated to generate much-needed jobs and economic opportunities in the region. Rene Mouawad Airport, named after a former Lebanese president, has a long history, originally built as an airstrip by the French army in the 1930s and later used by the Lebanese army as a military base.

The launch proceeds amidst ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which has impacted Lebanon's sole international airport in Beirut. While Beirut's airport has continued to operate, the situation underscores the strategic value of developing alternative aviation infrastructure. The Qlayaat airport was previously bombed by Israel in 2006 during a conflict with Hezbollah.

the passenger terminal will be completed "within 90 days after completing the required approvals and licenses".

— Ziad MunlaChairman of Sky Lounge, discussing the timeline for the airport's passenger terminal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog