Trump’s Plan to Restore Direct US-Lebanon Flights Hits Safety Roadblock

US President Donald Trump’s plan to restore direct commercial flights between the United States and Lebanon has encountered a major setback after a United Nations aviation assessment identified safety and regulatory shortcomings at Beirut’s main international airport.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) found that Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport lacked valid certification and had deficiencies in its emergency response arrangements and firefighting capabilities for large, long-haul aircraft, according to a report summary reviewed by Reuters.

The findings threaten to delay the resumption of direct US-Beirut flights, which Trump announced in July after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House. Trump subsequently signed an order revoking longstanding US restrictions on air services to Lebanon.

The restrictions had been introduced in 1985 following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847, which was forced to land in Beirut during a 17-day hostage crisis. The decision to remove them marked a significant step towards restoring direct commercial air links after more than four decades.

However, lifting the restrictions does not automatically authorise airlines to begin operating the route. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration must still complete relevant safety and security reviews before services can resume.

The ICAO assessment also identified weaknesses in Lebanon’s civil aviation regulatory system, including a shortage of qualified inspectors and the absence of a fully established, independent aircraft accident investigation authority.

Lebanon’s Public Works and Transport Minister, Fayez Rasamny, said the country was already working to address the identified problems. He said efforts to recertify the airport were beginning and that many of the concerns had previously been identified by Lebanese aviation authorities.

The minister added that progress had been delayed by the ongoing regional conflict, which has complicated efforts to improve aviation safety and restore confidence among international operators.

Despite the government’s assurances, US airline representatives cited by Reuters expressed doubts that American carriers would resume flights to Lebanon in the near future, pointing to continuing security risks.

The US State Department continues to advise Americans against travelling to Lebanon, while the FAA has warned of risks to aircraft operating in Lebanese airspace because of heightened military activity in the wider region.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has also emphasised that airlines must independently assess airport safety and operational readiness before introducing services.

Restoring direct flights could strengthen family connections between Lebanon and the large Lebanese diaspora in the United States, while supporting tourism, trade and investment. Lebanon’s economy relies significantly on tourism and remittances from citizens living abroad.

For now, however, the return of direct flights will depend on Lebanon addressing the identified deficiencies and securing the necessary regulatory approvals. No confirmed launch date or participating US airline has been announced.