President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. government to begin the process of allowing domestic airlines to resume direct flights to Lebanon, marking a significant policy shift after nearly four decades without scheduled passenger service.
The announcement came following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday. According to Trump, U.S. authorities will work toward permitting American carriers to operate nonstop flights to Lebanon once all security requirements have been met.
Direct commercial flights between the United States and Lebanon have been suspended since 1985 following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. The aircraft, travelling from Athens to Rome, was forced to land in Beirut, where passengers and crew endured a 17-day hostage crisis. During the incident, a U.S. Navy diver was killed.
Security Review Required Before Flights Resume
Before U.S. airlines can restart service, American officials must conduct a comprehensive security assessment of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and certify that it meets U.S. safety standards.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is prepared to implement the president’s directive.
“The FAA looks forward to working with airlines and our interagency partners to implement the President’s directive and support the safe return of flights to Lebanon,” the agency said in a statement.
It remains unclear whether U.S. airlines will choose to launch routes to Beirut, given ongoing regional security concerns.
Regional Tensions Remain a Concern
Major U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, continue to suspend flights to nearby Tel Aviv because of the security situation in the region.
In addition, the U.S. State Department currently maintains a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Lebanon, citing heightened tensions in the Middle East. Earlier this year, the department also ordered non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members to leave the country due to security risks.
Part of a Broader Aviation Policy Shift
The move follows another recent decision by the Trump administration to restore commercial air links with Venezuela. In January, Trump directed the U.S. Department of Transportation to lift a long-standing ban on passenger flights to the country. Commercial service resumed in late April with an American Airlines flight between Miami and Caracas, ending a seven-year suspension.
Any resumption of direct flights between the United States and Lebanon will depend on the outcome of security inspections, regulatory approvals and commercial decisions by individual airlines.
