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With Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport as Lebanon’s only operational airport, the urgent need for a second airport is critical. Lebanon teeters on the brink of an all-out war, fueled by the Gaza conflict and the ongoing cross-border skirmishes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. Should tomorrow’s Doha negotiations fail to prevent a broader Middle East conflict, establishing another airport – strategically distant from Hezbollah’s stronghold – becomes even more imperative. What prevents the opening of another airport in Lebanon?
“The primary obstacle”
Lebanese lawyer and political activist Majd Harb considers the primary obstacle to the creation of a new airport in Lebanon to be a political one. In an interview with This is Beirut, Harb explained that while members of parliament and cabinet ministers have publicly expressed support for the project, significant hurdles remain in the execution phase. “The major hiccup is the approval of ‘the state within the state,’” he said.
He stated, “What we are proposing is a law that will technically force MPs to put their money where their mouth is.” Harb’s approach aims to address this challenge by offering a legal framework designed to transform military airports into civilian ones at minimal cost.
He criticized the anticipated excuses that might be used to obstruct the initiative, such as issues with legislation, the absence of a president, a lack of funds, or timing. “The real test is here and now,” Harb asserted. “All these excuses can be debunked by the legal and constitutional validity of the draft law we presented at the press conference.”
Harb addressed the current challenges in financing the airport development project, highlighting that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act, which facilitates the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, is not feasible at present. The obstacles include unfulfilled government commitments and undecided policy measures.
He emphasized that if the government acts effectively, the BOT model could allow for the construction and operation of airports at no cost. Successful BOT projects in countries such as Turkey, Jordan, Japan and Malaysia illustrate the potential of this approach. However, due to the government’s inaction in enacting the PPP law, the project remains stalled.
As a solution, Harb proposed seeking a credit line from the central bank to finance the project. Currently, discussions are underway with members of Parliament to draft and propose the necessary legislation, pending their recommendations and approval.
“Centralized control”
For his part, Kataeb MP Elias Hankach asserted that Hezbollah is the primary obstacle to the opening of another airport in Lebanon. “All the control they exert is centralized at one airport (Rafic Hariri International Airport), where they manage all the benefits, arrangements and control over data and passenger manifests, giving them complete control,” he stated in an interview with This is Beirut.
Given this level of control, Hankach wondered why Hezbollah would ever agree to the opening of another airport.
He emphasized the urgent need for a second airport, especially during these challenging times, pointing out that “there is already a ready airport: the Hamat Airport in the heights of Batroun, currently used by the Lebanese Army, the US Embassy and others.” He noted that the airport is well-equipped and requires only minimal maintenance to accommodate civilian flights.
To underscore his point, Hankach cited the example of the newly constructed airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which cost $6 billion and can handle 100 million passengers. “Meanwhile, in Lebanon, $70 to $80 billion of Lebanese deposits are being squandered,” he said.
Hankach also highlighted that the cost of making Hamat Airport fully operational would be relatively low, “especially since it’s already halfway equipped, the runway is functional, and its location is both strategic and secure.”
“Tajaddod agrees”
On Wednesday, the Tajaddod Bloc signed a draft law proposed by Majd Harb for the operation of Qlayaat Airport. MP Michel Moawad emphasized the urgent need for another airport in Lebanon to enhance aviation safety, boost the economy and promote balanced development. He criticized the government for not fulfilling its duties and called for allocating funds to study and open additional airports. Several other MPs will convene on Monday to discuss this issue, which is believed to be a necessity at this critical time.
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