Ministry of Public Works Clarifies: No Closure of Beirut Airport or Suspension of Flights

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport issued the following clarifying statement:

“In response to the recent surge of misleading news circulated by some media outlets and social media platforms, including claims of airport closure, flight suspensions, or direct threats to Lebanese airspace, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport confirms that Rafic Hariri International Airport – Beirut is operating normally. There is no decision to close the airport or suspend air traffic, and flights have not been canceled as has been claimed.

According to official data from the General Civil Aviation Authority, no new flight cancellations have been recorded, and 12 flights had been registered as of 8:00 a.m., confirming the continuation of normal operational activity. Lebanese airspace is not closed, and rumors about the airport being used for non-civilian purposes are entirely unfounded.

Regarding the decrease in the number of flights, this falls within the general global context linked to current conditions affecting airports across the region and does not represent an exceptional situation specific to Lebanon.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport, together with the General Civil Aviation Authority and the relevant security agencies at Rafic Hariri International Airport, closely monitors airport operations to maintain it as a vital link connecting Lebanon to the world and to ensure communication between residents and expatriates. The Ministry warns against the dangers of spreading inaccurate or misleading news due to its potential negative consequences and urges media outlets and citizens to act responsibly, ensure accuracy, and obtain information exclusively from official sources.”