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BEIRUT — As the conflict escalates between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, Lebanon’s national airline has gained local significance by persevering in its operations amid turmoil.
Middle East Airlines (MEA) stands as the sole commercial airline currently flying out of the Beirut airport, strategically situated along the coast adjacent to southern suburbs that serve as bases for many Hezbollah activities.
In contrast to the devastating month-long war in 2006 that resulted in the immediate shutdown of Lebanon’s only commercial airport due to Israeli airstrikes, the current phase of conflict has thus far spared the airport from direct attacks.
Captain Mohammed Aziz, an advisor to the airline’s chairman, Mohamad El-Hout, indicated that MEA has received guarantees that airplanes and the airport would not be targeted by Israeli forces, provided they operate strictly for civilian purposes. Daily risk assessments are conducted to evaluate safety for flights, he stated.
“Whenever you see our planes in operation, it reflects our risk evaluation supporting that decision,” Aziz explained. “The safety of passengers is our utmost priority.”
However, watching commercial jets ascend and descend against a backdrop of fires and billowing smoke can be unsettling for travelers.
Dramatic visuals circulating on social media, featuring aircraft landing amid fiery landscapes, are often the result of AI creation. Aziz clarified that the smoke seen in news reports is frequently situated further away from the airport than it appears.
Nonetheless, some airstrikes have occurred alarmingly close to the airport. A recent attack struck the coastal district of Ouzai, roughly 200 meters (650 feet) from one of the runways, though no aircraft were present at that time.
Throughout the escalated conflict, numerous embassies have arranged additional flights to assist their citizens in leaving Lebanon. Other aircraft have provided flights for Lebanese nationals to nearby countries, such as Turkey and Cyprus, seeking safety until the situation stabilizes.
The number of daily flights by MEA typically ranges from 32 to 40, just slightly below average for this season, according to Aziz. However, now flights usually depart Beirut fully booked but return two-thirds to three-quarters empty.
While many Lebanese individuals have fled, others persist in using the service for business or familial obligations.
Elie Obeid, a business consultant, had a flight scheduled to Brussels for a seminar this month. After his original flight with Turkish Airlines was canceled, he opted to fly with MEA.
As his return flight landed on a recent Saturday, intense airstrikes were occurring nearby, leaving Obeid unaware of the chaos until he checked his phone post-landing and was inundated with messages.
He expressed mixed feelings about the flight experience.
“I appreciate that they are still flying, as it’s our only connection to the outside world at present,” he remarked. “However, it also feels quite dangerous. We should have been alerted to ongoing strikes, and perhaps the pilot could have been advised to land in Cyprus temporarily until the strikes ceased.”
John Cox, a former pilot in the U.S. and current aviation safety consultant, noted that during potential threats, it ultimately is the captain’s decision to proceed, often leaving passengers uninformed.
Communicating threats that passengers cannot control “does not serve any purpose and only causes anxiety,” he commented. “Therefore, I would be reluctant to do so.”
However, he added, “I’m unsure if I would want to operate flights in an active conflict zone with passengers onboard.”
Cox characterized the decision by a commercial airline to operate in a war zone as “quite unusual.”
“There are many variables in areas with ongoing military action,” he said. “Even managing aircraft to prevent them from occupying the same airspace at the same time can be quite difficult.”
Aziz affirmed that MEA is in “constant communication” with both the Lebanese government and security agencies and is actively working to reduce risks by spacing out flights to avoid overcrowding the airport. About 20% of the airline’s fleet has been stationed outside Lebanon to limit damage susceptibility.
Additionally, they have adopted strategies to account for frequent GPS interference utilized by Israel to counter missile and drone attacks, which also affects civilian navigation systems.
Other airlines face different dilemmas, Aziz noted, explaining, “Their operations to Lebanon may only constitute one flight out of hundreds each day, making it impractical to devote several hours just for one flight’s risk assessment.”
“For us, it is essential; failing to do so could mean ceasing operations altogether,” he added. “It is our responsibility to maintain connections between Lebanon and the rest of the world.”
For many, this ongoing link proves to be comforting, even if the journey entails elements of danger.
Marie-Jose Daoud, editor-in-chief of an online journalism platform, recently flew to Cyprus with her parents shortly after a significant strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs resulted in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
While waiting for their flight, she noticed news reports about Israeli military evacuation alerts concerning two areas near the airport. Shortly afterward, Daoud heard muffled booming from airstrikes resonating through the airport’s soundproofed walls.
Upon takeoff, the cabin crew and the majority of passengers maintained composure, even as a young boy gazed out the window, pointing at the smoke rising from the ground. The flight landed safely in Cyprus.
Daoud mentioned her parents’ desire to return home, despite the dangers, prompting her to travel back with them in the coming days. She plans to depart again shortly thereafter, yet feels secure knowing she can “return at a moment’s notice” should her family need assistance.
“As long as the airport remains operational, I’m confident that MEA will continue to fly,” she concluded.
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