ICAO flags safety gaps at Beirut airport as US‑Lebanon direct flight order awaits FAA

The International Civil Aviation Organization reported that Beirut‑Rafic Hariri International Airport does not have a valid certification, its emergency plan is missing, and its conditional certification has expired, while its firefighting resources are suited only for single‑aisle aircraft and the Lebanese regulator lacks qualified inspectors and an independent accident investigation authority.

President Trump announced an order in July to permit direct flights between the United States and Lebanon and signed it last month, but the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration still need to complete safety reviews before any service can resume, a step the Lebanese embassy described as a significant first step toward restoring direct air service.