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3. Beirut Travel Comes at a Cost: Sky-High Airfares Limit Access to Lebanon

Traveling to Lebanon is increasingly out of reach for many people. What was once a relatively accessible destination has turned into a high-end experience—something akin to boarding your flight straight from the Hermès boutique at the airport. This summer, airfare prices have reached near-absurd levels: a round-trip ticket from Paris to Beirut can easily top €1,300. For that price, you could take three round tours around Italy … or fly to Tokyo and back in economy class, sushi included.

If a trip to Lebanon was on your radar, prepare for a journey into the stratosphere—not in altitude, but in cost. Flying to Beirut has turned into a luxury, mostly accessible to those whose finances take off well before their plane does. And yet, flights are nearly full, according to online booking platforms. Planes are packed and the few remaining seats come with a steep price tag—unless you're travelling without budget constraints or second thoughts.

Consider a simple comparison: a round-trip ticket from Paris to Amman averages around €700 this summer. Meanwhile, Paris to Beirut hovers near €1,300—almost double. Even if you manage to find a deal through Istanbul or another hub, prices remain sky-high. It’s as if tickets are being calculated by the gram of cedar loaded onto the aircraft.

Why Are Fares so High?

The explanation lies in a familiar Lebanese mix of high taxes, market monopoly and limited competition, according to a local travel agent.

Start with the airport taxes. “In Beirut, they make up a significant portion of the fare,” the agent explains. Multiple sources confirm that these fees can reach $200 to $300—sometimes more than the base price of the ticket itself. It's almost as though entering the country requires you to purchase a piece of the airport first.

Then there’s the dominant position of the national airline, Middle East Airlines (MEA), which holds a comfortable monopoly on Beirut runways, leaving little room for competitors, especially low-cost operators.

“With only a few airlines connecting Beirut to Europe, supply is tight… while demand hasn’t eased,” the agent adds. “The result: few seats, too many passengers and skyrocketing ticket prices.”

What About Low-Cost Carriers?

Hoping to grab a €39.99 Ryanair flight to catch some sun in Batroun or to visit family? Think again. No European low-cost airline currently flies to Lebanon. Why? “Operating costs in Beirut are prohibitively high. Between the steep fees and the airport’s strict technical requirements, the low-cost business model simply doesn’t hold up,” the agent explains.

Add to that “an aging airport infrastructure, the absence of a dedicated low-cost terminal, and a relatively small market compared to regional hubs like Istanbul or Dubai,” and it’s easy to see why EasyJet has steered clear of Lebanon’s skies.

When Airfare Outpaces the Vacation Budget

With tickets nearing €1,500, a family flying in from Europe for a holiday in Lebanon may end up spending more on airfare than on the entire trip. And that’s the paradox: instead of fueling the local economy—hotels, restaurants, cultural sites, Lebanese designers and small businesses—a significant share of tourist spending disappears at the booking stage.

A traveler who pays €1,500 for a ticket but spends only €500 once in Lebanon contributes little to the country’s economic cycle. A more sustainable model—cheaper flights paired with greater in-country spending—would do far more for Lebanon’s struggling tourism sector.

Lebanon remains a remarkable destination: vibrant, complex and undeniably compelling. But as long as flying there remains among the most expensive routes in the region, the country will continue to miss out on a more diverse, younger and curious generation of travelers.

Until that changes, many will go on dreaming of the day when touching down in Beirut doesn’t come with a punishing price tag.