Lebanon name lifted from travel red list

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport said that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has lifted Lebanon’s name from the travel safety red list. This step is deemed to have a positive impact on international airline companies who have avoided visiting the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport (BRHIA).

The airport’s weak points included the inspection of luggage and the failure to implement a plan to equip the facility with more lighting and security cameras. Last week, the Council of Ministers approved a $28 million loan to raise the level of security at the airport.

ICAO sent an investigative commission last month to inspect the progress that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has achieved in its Corrective Action Plan.

Three years ago, ICAO expressed concern over Lebanon's inability to properly oversee its air operators. Some European countries said that they would stop their carriers from landing in Beirut's airport for failing to abide by international standards.