Ali Hamieh, Lebanon's acting minister of public works and transportation, declared on December 4 that airline operations were authorised to restart. The choice is appropriate because it coincides with the rise in demand for travel during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
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Hamieh highlighted that while Lebanon’s ports remained operational during the conflict, road infrastructure faced significant damage, particularly in southern cities and areas like Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley. Efforts are underway to restore these damaged roads to full functionality.
Although there are border crossings with Syria in northern Lebanon, there are difficulties because important bridges, such as the Jousieh crossing and the al-Hawz and Joubanieh bridges, have been destroyed. Although funding is available for repairs, Hamieh pointed out that reconstruction will require time.
Starting on December 1, daily flights between Amman and Beirut were resumed by the Royal Jordanian.
On December 3, Turkish Airlines resumed flights between Istanbul and Beirut.
On December 8, Ethiopian Airlines is expected to start operating again from Addis Ababa.
Qatar Airways is planning to launch daily flights on December 9.
EgyptAir: Possibly starting up again on December 17, subject to verification.
Iraqi Airways: Subject to official announcements, flights will be gradually resumed starting on December 8.
Emirates: Flights are anticipated to resume on December 9, ahead of the originally scheduled 2025 suspension.
Etihad Airways is thinking about starting flights again on December 18.
Delayed returnsWhile many airlines are acting quickly, others remain cautious. Air France has extended its suspension until January 5, 2025, citing security concerns, while Lufthansa Group airlines are unlikely to return before March 2025.
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