MEA and Air Canada
in codeshare negotiations

Direct route projected

to be launched late 2017

Middle East Airlines (MEA) is negotiating a codeshare agreement with Air Canada for direct flights on the Beirut-Toronto route. If approved, flights could be launched late 2017 or early 2018, according to Nizar Khoury, Director of Commerce Department at MEA.

Air Canada postponed direct flights to Beirut due to security issues 14 years ago. Calin Rovinescu, CEO of Air Canada, said earlier this month to the Air Transport World website, that the regulatory process to serve Beirut Airport started back in 2003, but geopolitical events and company requirements intervened.

Currently, a direct route would be feasible because of the advent of the Boeing 787, which is equipped for long-haul flights.

A codeshare agreement already exists between MEA and Air Canada from Beirut to Canada through Geneva and London routes.

Reported by Samer Rasbey