Lebanon Set to Launch Long-Awaited Second Airport on December 14, Boosting Economic Hopes

Lebanon is on the cusp of opening its second airport, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announcing that commercial flights will commence from Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat, northern Lebanon, on December 14. Passengers will be able to book flights starting this Sunday, when the initial flight schedule and route list will also be unveiled. Prime Minister Salam stated that the new airport is poised to "open new prospects for economic and tourism development" in the economically challenged nation. The airport, situated near the Syrian border, has a history of military use over several decades, despite previous attempts to repurpose it for civilian aviation. The army has played a role in the redevelopment efforts, following a master plan established last year. In a tribute to a former president, the airport has been named Rene Mouawad, who was assassinated shortly after his election in 1989. Trial flights are scheduled to begin on November 22, a date significant as it marks Lebanon's independence day and the anniversary of Mr. Mouawad's death. Regular commercial flights are slated to begin on December 14, according to Mr. Salam. This new facility is expected to alleviate pressure on Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, currently Lebanon's sole commercial airport. The airport's development comes as Lebanon grapples with deepened economic problems, exacerbated by recent regional conflicts. The Akkar governorate, where the airport is located, has been identified as having the highest poverty rate in Lebanon. The new airport is projected to handle approximately 114,000 passengers in its inaugural year, with hopes of attracting more visitors from Gulf countries as Lebanon seeks to mend regional ties. Furthermore, the new low-cost airline Fly Beirut is set to launch next summer with a fleet of five Airbus A320 aircraft, planning to serve destinations including Dubai, Istanbul, Paris, Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Düsseldorf. Middle East Airlines, whose parent company is Lebanon’s central bank, currently holds a dominant position in the country's air travel market, a sector where Lebanese expatriates and regular travelers have frequently voiced concerns about high ticket prices.