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The Qlayaat René Mouawad Airport is not intended to compete with Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport. Its purpose is to address urgent needs in security, logistics, and economic development.
The rehabilitation of Qlayaat René Mouawad Airport is contingent upon the approval of the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamiyeh, who must sign off on the project currently awaiting his review. The project, estimated at approximately $45 million, is expected to be funded through a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
Ever since President René Mouawad’s assassination in 1989, discussions about utilizing Qlayaat René Mouawad Airport in Akkar, Northern Lebanon, have continued. Officially known as “René Mouawad Air Base,” the airport is located 26 kilometers from Tripoli and seven kilometers from the Lebanese-Syrian borders. Although it was bombed by Israel in 2006 and subsequently rehabilitated, further work is needed to make it fully operational for civilian use.
Beyond the political considerations of reclaiming a vital public asset from Hezbollah’s control, the use of Qlayaat René Mouawad Airport should not be viewed as a substitute for Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport. It is not intended to compete with it.
Even a small country like Lebanon can benefit strategically, economically, and logistically from having multiple airports. Cyprus, slightly smaller than Lebanon at about 9,251 square kilometers, has six airports, including two for civilian use in Larnaca and Paphos.
National Security
Given the current situation in Lebanon, it is essential to consider risk distribution and national security, including food security and petroleum products’ supply. In the event of attacks or natural disasters, decentralizing airports would ensure that if one facility is compromised, others can remain operational. In other words, this approach would significantly enhance national resilience.
Facilitating Trade
For economic viability, Qlayaat Airport should be integrated into a project to establish a duty-free trade zone, similar to Jebel Ali in Dubai, and connected to the port of Tripoli and the railway line to Turkey. Its role in facilitating pan-Arab trade is essential.
That being said, MP Sajih Attieh states that this airport, situated in a peripheral region, is expected to generate at least 5,000 jobs. He also highlights the advantages for residents of the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon, especially regarding transportation efficiency. For instance, while a resident of Hermel must travel 180 km to reach Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, Qlayaat Airport is only 20 Km away.
A Runway
Emphasizing the importance of operating Qlayaat René Mouawad Airport, the Akkar deputy points out the difficulties of adding a new runway at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, based on various State-commissioned studies.
