Minister of Public Works and Transport in the caretaker government, Ali Hmeieh, indicated in a press conference from the Civil Aviation Directorate building at Rafic Hariri International Airport that "the airport belongs to all Lebanese, and we are all affected by the current situation. In cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority and Middle East Airlines, we are trying to ensure the continuity of operations with what is available." He confirmed that "a plan has been implemented for the airport to be prepared, and the matter is now with the airport security apparatus, the Civil Aviation Directorate, and Middle East Airlines."
Hmeieh emphasized that "the Ministry of Public Works is concerned with Rafic Hariri Airport and not with Middle East Airlines; the airport continues to perform its duties, and Middle East Airlines makes its decisions based on its own data." He noted that "the airport has not been closed; it is still operational, but Middle East Airlines has reduced its flights due to issues related to insurance companies." In response to a question from "Werdna," Hmeieh pointed out that "as long as Israel is nearby, we are all in danger."
Regarding air traffic controllers, Hmeieh said, "We have started on the right track and are awaiting responses from 15 companies to train new controllers." He explained that previously "we took steps to appoint 25 new controllers for air traffic management, and we have decided for the Ministry of Public Works to contract with an institute for controller training."
For his part, the head of Rafic Hariri International Airport, Fadi Al-Hassan, confirmed to "Werdna" that traffic at the airport is normal and that the relevant authorities have taken a series of measures to address any emergencies.
