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To leave or to stay? A question long entrenched in the minds of the common Lebanese folk.
After a deadly spate of Israeli strikes last week, that targeted multiple Lebanese regions, resulting in over 500 deaths, thousands injured, and tens of thousands displaced, the answer for many has become clear: leave Lebanon while you still can, if you can.
However, leaving is not easy. On Tuesday, over 30 airlines canceled their flights to Lebanon, leaving the national flag carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA), as the only option for those trying to flee.
Mireille, a Lebanese woman, and her husband Frank, a Frenchman, had to book on an MEA after their original flight on a French airliner was canceled.
“We arrived in Lebanon from France on September 7 and were scheduled to leave on the 29 with Transavia, but our flight was canceled,” Mireille explained, “We were given three options: rebook, save the fare for future use, or get a refund. But rebooking would delay our departure until October 10.”
Fortunately, she said, her husband could secure a seat on a flight scheduled on October 2, but in the meantime uncertainty looms.
“We’re not even sure if we’ll be able to travel,” Mireille added. “We want to leave as soon as possible. We’re afraid of getting stuck here.”
For Frank, leaving Lebanon is also about keeping his job. “I need to return to work in France, so I must leave,” he emphasized.
An additional challenge for travellers seeking to depart as quickly as possible is the cost. “Only business class tickets were available, and all direct flights to France are full. I couldn’t afford a $2,000 business class ticket via Cairo, so I found a $535 flight to Athens as a transit option. It’s expensive, but at least I’m reassured now.”
Frank’s reimbursement from Transavia will only cover half of the cost of the additional flights he had to book to return home. “It’s not much, but we don’t have any other choice. Either I stay in Lebanon and face problems at work, or pay more to leave.”
MEA Struggles with Overcapacity
MEA is dealing with hundreds of similar cases daily. An employee told This is Beirut that the airline is doing its best to assist travellers, but the situation is overwhelming.
“We’ve added extra flights to Riyadh, Larnaca, Istanbul, and Doha—about 4 or 5 a day—to accommodate passengers stranded by other airlines,” said the employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“Our planes barely touch down in Beirut before they’re scheduled to depart again. They stay on the ground for about two hours between flights.”
Prioritizing MEA Passengers
According to the employee, priority is given to MEA passengers, and extra flights are being added to meet the demand of those left behind by other airlines.
While MEA’s administration continues to operate regular hours, the cabin crew has been working overtime to keep up. Although they’re being compensated for extra hours, the pressure has been immense.
A Quiet Beirut International Airport
Despite the surge in passengers trying to leave, videos on social media show Beirut International Airport unusually empty. MEA attributes this to its flight schedules.
“Most flights depart in the morning or early afternoon,” the employee explained. “After midnight, there are no passengers.”
In response to the security situation, MEA has been delaying flights for the past month. Flights scheduled for 4 or 5 AM have been postponed until 8 AM as a safety measure.
“We will cancel or delay flights if safety is a concern,” the employee said.
Can MEA Keep Up?
MEA currently operates 16 planes, while others are parked outside Lebanon. Its longest flights are about five hours, with destinations such as Abidjan, Lagos, and Accra. Passengers traveling to farther destinations like the US or Canada need connecting flights.
Despite the challenges, Lebanese citizens take pride in their national airline which continues to operate against all odds and despite all the challenges.
The question remains: How long can MEA sustain the surge in its operations if foreign airlines prolong the suspension of their flights to Beirut?
