Beirut International Airport

Beirut International Airport (IATA: BEY, ICAO: OLBA) is located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon and is the only operational commercial airport in the country. It is the hub for Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines (more commonly known as MEA). It is also the hub for the currently grounded cargo carrier Trans Mediterranean Airways (more commonly known as TMA Cargo), as well as the new start-up charter airline, MenaJet.

Originally the airport was named Beirut International Airport, however it was renamed on June 22, 2005, in honour of ex-Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri who was assassinated in a huge explosion in Beirut on February 14, 2005 when his motorcade was targeted.

It is the main port of entry into the country along with the Port of Beirut.

The airport is operated and maintained by Middle East Airports Services (MEAS) which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the national carrier, MEA. MEAS conducts all airport operations from cleaning the bathrooms to de-rubberizing the runways. Operations are regulated by the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), the Lebanese government agency which sets aviation guidelines, safety standards, etc. The LCAA is also responsible for operating the air traffic control (ATC) in the airport as well as regulate Lebanon's airspace.

Bombed numerous times by IDF in July, 2006, to limit Hizbulloh's supply routes in the Hizbulloh-Israel-Gaza conflict.
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Beirut Air Base

(BEY/OLBA)

The Beirut Air Base was established in 1950, right after the formation of the air force. During the early years, Rayaq was the main air base however, the air force wanted to establish another air base close to the capital and after studying most of the areas around Beirut, it was concluded that the new site for the Beirut International airport in Khalde was best fit.
The Lebanese Air Force currently occupies part of the west end of the Rafic Hariri International airport and has been the home of most of the helicopter force for almost 50 years, as well as the Hawker Hunters, Fouga Magisters and other aircraft during certain periods. It is currently the home of the Bell UH-1H Hueys and the Aerospatiale SA.342 Gazelles.

(Aerial photo): An aerial view of the Beirut AF base shows 15 UH-1H Hueys of the air force parked outside the two hangars. An all white Bell- 212 (possibly owned by the UN) is also seen outside the hangar getting some protection from the sun.

www.beirutairport.gov.lb