Efforts to restart direct flights between the United States and Lebanon have encountered significant regulatory and safety hurdles, complicating a policy initiative announced earlier this year by U.S. President Donald Trump. The move would reverse a longstanding suspension of direct air service to Beirut that dates back to 1985, following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.

In July, Trump announced the intention to reinstate these flights and formalized the directive in September, allowing U.S. authorities to begin the process. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are slated to conduct safety evaluations prior to any resumption. Lebanon’s embassy in Washington hailed the decision as an "important first step" toward restoring direct connections.

However, a technical assistance mission conducted in July by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations aviation body, revealed several deficiencies at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and within Lebanon’s broader civil aviation framework. The official ICAO report, submitted to the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) in September, highlights expired conditional certification of the airport, insufficient firefighting capabilities for large twin-aisle aircraft typically used for long-haul flights, and lack of an emergency response plan. The findings argue that these issues are serious and time-sensitive, requiring immediate remedial action to maintain the airport’s operational status.

Additional concerns focus on regulatory oversight. The LCAA reportedly lacks adequately trained inspectors for air traffic control licensing and does not have an independent, fully operational aircraft accident investigation body with defined responsibilities. These systemic gaps were discussed during a recent ICAO-led workshop involving Lebanese officials, FAA representatives, and other stakeholders working to facilitate the reinstatement of direct air service.

Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rassamny, affirmed that steps to address the ICAO recommendations are underway, with efforts to recertify the airport beginning immediately. The LCAA anticipates issuing conditional certification shortly. Rassamny noted that many of the deficiencies had already been identified internally and that progress has been hampered by ongoing regional conflicts. Notably, Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon and continued airstrikes persist despite a U.S.-brokered framework agreement reached in June between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah, which remains influential in Lebanon and is backed by Iran, rejected the agreement.

The FAA and ICAO declined to provide comments on the matter. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department continues to advise American travelers against visiting Lebanon due to security concerns. It also warns of risks related to intensified military activity in Lebanese airspace and neighboring Syrian territory, including the potential for errant missile fire.

Since heightened regional tensions escalated earlier this year following U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iran-backed forces, several foreign airlines have avoided extended portions of Middle Eastern airspace, citing missile and drone threats. Lebanese authorities and the national carrier have been commended domestically for maintaining air navigation services, which are vital to sustaining Lebanon’s economy driven by tourism and remittances.

Despite the political and regulatory momentum, three anonymous officials from U.S. airlines expressed skepticism that American carriers will resume flights to Lebanon in the immediate future, primarily due to ongoing security and safety concerns.