The United States will restore direct commercial flights to Lebanon for the first time in more than 40 years, with US President Donald Trump announcing he has directed his administration to allow US airlines to resume services once security requirements are met.
“I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all US airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Direct flights between the two countries have been suspended since 1985 following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. Before services can resume, Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) will need to complete the necessary US security certification and regulatory approvals.
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Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the decision, describing it as “a significant opportunity to enhance travel and connectivity” between Lebanon and the United States while supporting the country’s economy.
The announcement comes as Lebanon advances wider aviation expansion plans. The country is preparing to launch low-cost carrier Fly Beirut in 2027, with routes planned to Dubai, Istanbul, Paris, Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam and Düsseldorf. The Lebanese government is also progressing a US$500 million second terminal at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), which will add capacity for five million passengers annually.
The UAE recently also lifted restrictions on its nationals visiting Lebanon in June 2026, following earlier suspensions linked to regional security concerns. Travellers, however, are still required to register through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s (MoFA) Twajudi platform before departure.
Regional aviation has continued to recover following disruptions earlier this year. According to OAG Schedules Analyser, airlines are scheduled to operate around 22.9 million departing seats from and within the Middle East during July, indicating that much of the capacity lost earlier this year has now been restored.
For more information, visit www.transportation.gov