Lebanon to open second airport in Qlayaat, targeting Dubai travelers

Lebanon is preparing to launch its second international airport in Qlayaat, located in the northern Akkar province, within the next few months. The rehabilitation of the airport, which has served as a military base for decades, was inaugurated on Saturday by the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Fayez Rasamny. This marks a transition from "promise to execution" after more than fifty years of anticipation.

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Today we are moving from promise to execution.

The airport, named Rene Mouawad Airport, is slated to become operational in a few weeks, initially serving routes to Mersin, Istanbul, and Dubai. Future plans include expanding destinations to Saudi Arabia, Cairo, and Athens. The government is also in discussions with low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Pegasus. The rehabilitation work, carried out by Sky Lounge, is expected to take at least three months, with a pilot phase before full service begins in November 2026.

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the goal is for the airport to be operational in a few weeks to serve travellers to Mersin, Istanbul and Dubai.

This development is particularly significant for Akkar, one of Lebanon's most impoverished governorates with high unemployment. The airport's opening is projected to create much-needed jobs. Rene Mouawad Airport, originally built as an airstrip by the French army in the 1930s, has a history of civilian use in the 1960s and was damaged by Israel in a 2006 conflict. Beirut's airport has continued to operate despite ongoing fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, with Lebanon previously seeking international guarantees against Israeli targeting of its sole international airport.

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