Salam Announces Start Date for Commercial Flights from Qlayaat Airport and Reveals Operational Phases

Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam chaired a meeting yesterday, Monday, dedicated to following up on the ongoing preparations for the opening of President Rene Moawad – Qlayaat Airport. The meeting was attended by Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al-Hajjar, Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamni, Chairman and General Manager of Beirut International Airport Institution Engineer Mohammad Chatila, Chairman of Sky Lounge Services Company Ziad Menla, and CEO of Mada Airways Ahmad Al-Haj.

During the meeting, progress made in technical and operational preparations was reviewed, along with the remaining steps to launch air traffic from the airport.

After the meeting, President Salam said: “On Sunday, November 15, the air destinations served by the airport, the initial flight schedule, and its timings will be officially announced, allowing travelers to start booking their flights from the same date, as a fundamental step towards launching air traffic from it. On November 22, coinciding with Independence Day and the anniversary of the martyrdom of President Rene Moawad, whom the airport is named after, trial flights will depart from the airport, with regular commercial flights beginning on December 14, 2026.”

He considered that “these steps constitute an actual start for the operation of Qlayaat Airport, enhancing air connectivity between Lebanon and abroad, which opens new horizons for economic and tourism development in the North, and in Lebanon generally.”