At Beirut International Airport, despite the war, flights continue to operate. Every day, the arrivals and departures board shows destinations from all over the world: Frankfurt, Paris, Geneva, Jeddah, Amman, Baghdad, Dubai… However, only one commercial airline still operates, the Lebanese Middle East Airlines (MEA). ). Located on the coast, the country’s only civilian airport is near the capital’s densely populated southern suburbs, where the Israeli military is increasing attacks on what it considers Hezbollah bases. Since the beginning of the conflict, numerous photographs have flooded social networks, showing MEA planes taking off or landing (between 32 and 40 flights daily, slightly less than usual this season), while columns of smoke rise into the sky.
“These days I feel that I have a mission, like the army that must defend the peopleconfesses Khalil, MEA delegate (a pseudonym, because the company prohibits its employees from speaking to the media). We must also maintain this airlift for our compatriots. It’s our way of saying, “We’re here to help!” This is the message of hope that we want to convey to the Lebanese. »
Messages of support for the MEA are pouring in on social networks. The company, once criticized for the quality of its service, has become a symbol of unity and hope for a population disappointed by its leaders. “Passengers express their gratitude to us for continuing to fly despite the risks”explains Khalil, in his thirties, whom he met in a cafe in Beirut. “They are calmer than usual, less demanding. For example, they do not complain about the reduction of certain services, such as hot meals, which have been eliminated, because the situation has affected our kitchen staff.”precise, with ten years of experience within the MEA.
Ticket prices stabilized
During the 2006 war, Beirut airport was bombed by Israeli aircraft on the second day of the conflict. This year, so far, this unique air relay between Lebanon and the rest of the world continues to operate. The MEA company, which has about 700 crew members and 200 pilots, is certain that the Hebrew State “I would not attack their planes or the airport as long as they were used solely for civil purposes”said Captain Mohammed Aziz, advisor to the MEA leadership, quoted by the Associated Press agency. However, some airstrikes have already affected areas near the airport, including the one on October 20, which affected the coastal area of Ouzaï, very close to the airport. That day, according to the Lebanese newspaper The East-The DayAccording to a Lebanese security source, air traffic was not affected by the attacks.
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