Beirut airport back in business

(25 August 2006)

Following the 33-day war between Israel and Hizbollah, Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport is seeing commercial airlines resuming flights.

Middle East Airlines was the first to touch down, followed by Royal Jordanian half an hour later on 18 August. German Airline Lufthansa said it is resuming its flight operation to the Lebanese capital, offering five flights a week from Frankfurt to Beirut.

However, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has decided not to reinstate flights to Beirut. The airline said the route was already making loss before Beirut Airport was closed to commercial flights as a result of war.

"As soon as Air France resumes flight operations to Beirut, KLM passengers will be able with KLM's French partner airline to fly to and from Beirut via Paris Charles de Gaulle," it said in a statement.