Once the ceasefire was brokered between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon in late November 2024, airlines are now tentatively resuming international flights to Lebanon's main air hub at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY). As reported by Pilotcenter.net News, various airlines from Arab nations have already restarted their operations, while others, particularly Western carriers, are proceeding with caution before fully reinstating their services in the region.

The Lebanese authorities anticipate a significant comeback of scheduled international flights by mid-December 2024, as airlines that temporarily halted their services due to the recent escalation in tensions between Israel and Lebanon plan their return. During this period, the country's flag carrier, Middle East Airlines, has maintained limited flight operations amidst the unrest.

On December 4, 2024, Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh disclosed his approval for the resumption of airline activities to and from Beirut's international airport. Hamieh mentioned, "Most Arab and foreign airlines are expected to resume normal operations by mid-December," stressing the importance of meeting the high demand for air travel during the festive season. This move to restore commercial airline services is critical for Lebanon’s path to recovery as the nation seeks to bring back a sense of normalcy after a tumultuous period.

While some airlines have swiftly resumed services to capitalize on the holiday travel rush in the region, others are adopting a wait-and-see approach to gauge the stability of the ceasefire in the upcoming weeks. Notable carriers like Royal Jordanian and Turkish Airlines have already resumed flights to Beirut, with more airlines planning to follow suit in the days ahead.

Looking ahead, Ethiopian Airlines is set to recommence flights between Beirut and Addis Ababa from December 8, 2024, while Qatar Airways aims to restart its Doha operations on December 9, 2024. Additionally, airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, EgyptAir, and Iraqi Airways have outlined their plans for phased re-introduction of flights to Beirut from various locations.

In contrast, carriers from Western Europe like Air France and the Lufthansa Group have decided to delay the resumption of their services to Lebanon due to prevailing security concerns, with tentative dates set for early 2025. According to reports, Middle East Airlines operates a fleet of 22 aircraft serving numerous destinations across the globe.

The resumption of flights to Beirut signifies a significant step towards Lebanon's recovery and signifies a beacon of hope for its citizens as normalcy begins to return after a turbulent period of unrest.