A technical review by the International Civil Aviation Organization has raised new obstacles to restoring nonstop flights between the United States and Lebanon, according to an internal report summary seen by Reuters.
The UN aviation agency conducted a technical-assistance mission to Lebanon in July at the request of the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority. Reuters reported that ICAO sent its findings to Lebanon in September, after President Donald Trump announced that his administration would allow US airlines to serve the country directly again.
What the aviation review found
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport's conditional certification had expired, and the airport lacked an emergency-response plan, according to the summary reviewed by Reuters. Its firefighting resources were equipped for single-aisle aircraft but not for the twin-aisle jets typically used on long-distance routes.
The review also identified broader oversight gaps. Reuters said the report found that the Lebanese regulator lacked qualified inspectors to supervise air-traffic-control licensing and did not have a fully established, operational and independent authority to investigate aircraft accidents.
Two senior industry officials familiar with the matter told Reuters that the findings were likely to delay the return of direct service. Three US airline officials, speaking anonymously, separately said they did not expect American carriers to restart flights to Lebanon in the near term, citing security concerns.
