Middle East Airlines (MEA) Chairman Mohammed al-Hout gave an overview of the situation at Beirut airport (BIA) on Tuesday. This was done in light of a meeting Hout had with caretaker Prime Minister Nagib Mikati, to discuss the company’s situation and progress in view of the security crisis.
Hout emphasized that all Arab airlines, such as Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways maintain normal traffic routes to Beirut. He dismissed any threats to BIA: “What we know is that the airport has not been exposed to any threat. If we had any information or fear of a strike, we would not have kept half the number of planes at the airport.”
Hout briefed Mikati on the situation of MEA indicating that the flight delay for 5 to 6 flights per day is due to “technical reasons related to the distribution of insurance risks between Lebanon and abroad.” He explained that it is a precautionary measure in the case of a strike against the airport.
As for foreign companies that had cancelled their flights to Lebanon, Hout reminded that Lufthansa group had already canceled their flights in October and November (when the war started). He added that these cancellations were precautionary measures.
In related developments, Mikati also met with Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib at the Serail to discuss the current efforts to prevent the expansion of the war. “I have responded to the Israeli representative’s remarks in Brussels regarding attacks on Lebanon. We will issue another response to Israel’s complaint against Lebanon at the United Nations,” affirmed Bou Habib.
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