MEA Celebrates 80 Years, Outlines Beirut’s Aviation Future

‍BEIRUT — Middle East Airlines (ME) will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its first flight this coming New Year’s Day. Still, celebrations are already getting underway at Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY).

At a celebratory event at BEY, the Lebanese flag carrier’s chairman, Mohammad El-Hout, announced and detailed several projects aimed at improving Lebanon’s aviation footprint. 

At the event, El-Hout said, “plans have been drawn up for the company’s future, starting with restoring Beirut’s role as a maintenance hub for foreign airlines, which will require new facilities.”

A new Low-Cost subsidiary

“Fly Beirut” will be the name of MEA’s new wholly owned low-cost carrier.

The new subsidiary, hinted at by insiders familiar with the airline since June, will offer flights at about 30% below mainline fares, serving markets in the EU and the Middle East.

It will start with four Airbus narrow-body jets, rumored to be A320neo aircraft from lessors, as mainline MEA takes delivery of newer A321neo and A321XLR aircraft from Airbus over the next few years.

Six New Aircraft Next Year

MEA expects to take on a half-dozen Airbus jets in 2026, two-thirds of its current order book of nine, all for next-generation Airbus aircraft.

The delivery schedule consists of 4 A321XLR and 2 A330-900 aircraft, both new types of the Lebanese flag carrier.

Going into 2027, the order book will consist of 2 more A330-900s and 1 A321neo. ME should take delivery of the remaining pair of A330s between 2027 and 2028. Regarding the A321neo order, reports suggest ME will convert them into additional A321XLR, but this is just hearsay, according to economymiddleeast.com.

MEA’s current fleet is made up of 21 Airbus jets: seven A320s, 10 A321neo, and four A330-200s. They also operate a pair of Embraer Legacy 500s under the Cedar Executive brand.

Rafic Hariri International

Rafic Hariri International (BEY) is Lebanon's leading aviation gateway and will undergo massive upgrades over the next few years.

The main investment in the revitalization effort will be the construction of a second terminal, capable of accommodating up to 5 million annual passengers, focusing on MEA and its SkyTeam partners, such as Air France-KLM and Saudia.

Plans for new fast-track security screening, a revamped departure area, and lounges were also among the features outlined in BEY’s facelift, along with greater connectivity between the airport and the city of Beirut.

René Mouawad Airport

The site of the Lebanese Air Force’s René Mouawad Air Base, also known as Kleyate Airport (KYE), is slated to become Lebanon’s second international airport.

The airfield is located on the country’s northern border with Syria, 100km from Beirut. It has primarily served as a military airfield since its establishment in 1934; however, given its extensive commercial infrastructure, the government designated it as the country’s second aviation gateway.

Kleyate Airport plans to open as a passenger and cargo hub next year, leveraging its proximity to Tripoli.