Middle East Airlines Keeps Beirut Connected Amid Israel Conflict \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the only carrier still operating out of Beirut’s airport as Israel intensifies its offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite ongoing airstrikes in nearby areas, the airline remains operational, conducting daily risk assessments to ensure safety. MEA has received assurances from Israel that its planes and the airport won’t be targeted if used solely for civilian purposes. While many passengers leave Lebanon for safety, MEA flights provide a crucial link for those traveling in and out of the country during the conflict.
MEA Keeps Beirut Flying Amid Conflict: Quick Looks
- MEA Continues Flights: Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines is the only commercial airline still operating from Beirut’s airport, located near areas targeted by Israeli airstrikes.
- Daily Risk Assessments: The airline conducts regular safety evaluations and has received assurances from Israel that civilian operations at the airport won’t be targeted.
- Escalating Tensions: Airstrikes have landed close to the airport, but MEA remains a lifeline for many Lebanese citizens and foreign nationals, even as other airlines have suspended flights.
- Safety Concerns: Some passengers express mixed feelings about flying during airstrikes, but the airline emphasizes that it won’t operate if conditions become too dangerous.
Deep Look:
As Israeli airstrikes rain down on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, Beirut’s international airport remains a hub of critical activity, largely due to the resilience of Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s national carrier. Despite the escalating conflict and the growing danger in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a significant presence, MEA has continued its operations, keeping the country connected to the outside world.
Located on the coast, adjacent to the densely populated areas frequently targeted by Israeli strikes, Beirut’s airport has been spared from direct attacks, unlike during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war when the airport was quickly rendered inoperable. This time around, the airport has not been targeted, allowing MEA to maintain its flight schedule, albeit under careful monitoring and risk assessment.
Assurances from Israel
MEA’s continued operations come with significant precautions. Captain Mohammed Aziz, an advisor to MEA’s chairman, said the airline has received assurances from Israel that its planes and the airport will not be attacked as long as they are used exclusively for civilian purposes. Nevertheless, the airline conducts daily risk assessments to ensure it is safe to fly.
“As long as you see us operating, it means our threat assessment says that we can operate,” Aziz stated. “We will never jeopardize the life of anyone.”
Even so, the sight of MEA jetliners taking off and landing amid a backdrop of plumes of smoke from nearby airstrikes has been jarring for many observers. Some of the dramatic images circulating online have been AI-generated, further adding to the sense of confusion and fear. Aziz clarified that the smoke seen in news footage is often from strikes farther away from the airport than it appears. However, that doesn’t mean the airport has been entirely free from danger.
On Monday night, an Israeli strike hit the coastal area of Ouzai, just 200 meters (about 650 feet) from one of Beirut’s runways. Fortunately, no planes were in the vicinity at the time, but the proximity of the attack has increased anxiety for those relying on the airport to escape or enter Lebanon.
Lifeline for Evacuations
Despite the ongoing airstrikes, MEA’s daily operations have remained relatively steady, operating between 32 and 40 flights per day, which is only slightly below the normal volume for this time of year. According to Aziz, the difference now is that the outbound flights are often full, while return flights are only two-thirds or three-quarters full as many residents and foreign nationals leave the country to escape the violence.
Business travelers and those with family obligations continue to use the airline, relying on it to fulfill their pressing needs despite the risks involved.
Passenger Reactions
Elie Obeid, a business consultant, is one such traveler. After his original flight with Turkish Airlines was canceled, he booked with MEA for a work trip to Brussels. When he returned to Beirut on Saturday, he was unaware that heavy airstrikes were happening nearby until he landed and received a flood of messages on his phone. Although appreciative that MEA continued to operate, Obeid expressed concerns over the risks of flying during active strikes.
“I do appreciate the fact that they are still flying, since that’s our only connection with the outer world currently,” Obeid said. “But at the same time, it is very risky. We should have been told that strikes were happening, and maybe they could have told the pilot to request to land in Cyprus for a while until the strikes ended.”
While some passengers feel uneasy about flying during the conflict, airline industry experts say it is not unusual for captains to keep passengers in the dark about potential threats during flights. John Cox, a former airline pilot and current aviation-safety consultant, explained that informing passengers of a threat beyond their control often causes unnecessary panic.
Telling passengers about a danger “doesn’t really do any good, and it stresses them out. So, I would be very hesitant to do that,” Cox said. Still, he acknowledged the risks involved in operating in such an active war zone, adding, “I’m not sure that I want to fly into an area of open conflict like that with passengers on board.”
A Measured Approach to Risk
MEA has taken a calculated approach to minimize the risk to its passengers and crew. The airline coordinates closely with the Lebanese government and security agencies, spacing out flights to reduce crowding at the airport and avoid potential mass casualties in the event of an attack. To further mitigate risks, MEA has parked about 20% of its fleet outside Lebanon to minimize potential damage to its planes.
The airline also contends with frequent GPS jamming—used by Israel to counter missile and drone attacks—which can interfere with civilian navigation systems. Despite these challenges, MEA remains committed to maintaining its operations as a vital link between Lebanon and the rest of the world.
Comfort Amid Uncertainty
For many, MEA’s continued service provides a sense of comfort, despite the obvious risks. Marie-Jose Daoud, an editor-in-chief at an online journalism platform, traveled with her parents to Cyprus shortly after a major Israeli airstrike killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut’s southern suburbs. While waiting for their flight, Daoud learned from the news that Israeli forces had issued evacuation warnings for areas near the airport. Shortly after, the muffled sounds of airstrikes echoed through the airport’s soundproofed walls.
Despite the tension, Daoud and her family safely made it to Cyprus, and she is planning to return with her parents to Beirut in the coming days, confident in the knowledge that MEA will continue to operate.
“As long as the airport is open, I know that MEA will be flying,” she said.
