Rasamny inaugurates newly renovated VIP lounge at Beirut airport
Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny inaugurated the newly renovated VIP Lounge at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, following its complete rehabilitation, which was financed and implemented by Middle East Airlines (MEA).
The official ceremony was attended by Minister of National Defense Major General Michel Menassa, Minister of Interior and Municipalities Brigadier General Ahmad Al-Hajjar, Minister of Tourism Laura El Khazen, Former Minister Mohammad Choucair, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Works and Transport MP Sajih Attieh, Chairman and Director General of Middle East Airlines Mohammad Al-Hout, Airport Director Eng. Ibrahim Abou Alayoui, members of the Civil Aviation Authority, commanders of the security agencies operating at the airport, representatives of airlines and tourism and economic organizations, as well as a number of official and administrative figures.
The ceremony opened with the Lebanese National Anthem, followed by welcoming remarks delivered by Danielle Atrash. Minister Rasamny then unveiled the commemorative plaque and officially cut the ribbon before touring the newly refurbished lounge with the attendees.
Minister Rasamny described the inauguration of the VIP Lounge as another milestone within the Ministry’s comprehensive plan to modernize Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, coming nearly two months after the opening of the airport’s renovated Departure Hall. He announced that the Ministry intends to inaugurate a new facility every three months as part of its ongoing development programme.
He stressed that since assuming office, his foremost priority has been enhancing passenger safety and security, stating that there can be no airport without security and safety. He expressed his appreciation to the Ministers of Interior and Defense, the Airport Security leadership, and all security agencies for their continuous efforts to safeguard this vital national facility.
Rasamny added that the airport is more than a transportation hub—it is Lebanon’s first point of contact with the world and should reflect the country’s image, culture, and history to every visitor. He noted that the results of the airport’s modernization plan are already becoming visible.
The Minister explained that the new VIP Lounge spans approximately 1,100 square metres, accommodates around 83 guests, and features a fully equipped kitchen alongside modern facilities built to the highest standards. He commended Eng. Joe Farah, who supervised the implementation of the project.
He emphasized that the modernization programme will continue, including upgrades to public restrooms, security screening and scanner systems, runway rehabilitation, and major investments in the airport’s infrastructure.
Rasamny also announced that the Ministry will inaugurate a Fast Track service within the next three months, providing passengers with additional travel options while easing congestion in the conventional passenger processing areas.
He further noted that the Ministry of Tourism will contribute to showcasing Lebanon’s cultural identity throughout the airport’s facilities, while the private sector will remain a key partner in implementing development projects despite the financial and administrative challenges.
The Minister also revealed that passenger arrivals have begun to recover, with the airport now welcoming more than 12,000 arriving passengers daily, following a decline in recent months due to exceptional security-related circumstances.
For his part, Mohammad Al-Hout, Chairman and Director General of Middle East Airlines, expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the project, noting that since taking office, Minister Rasamny has personally followed every aspect of airport operations, from security procedures and cleanliness to improving the overall passenger experience.
He said the Minister had launched a series of improvements despite limited financial resources, praising both the speed of implementation and the close attention devoted to every project.
Al-Hout recalled the temporary closure of Lebanese airspace during the escalation between the United States and Iran, revealing that he was surprised to find Minister Rasamny personally working inside the Middle East Airlines sales office to assist stranded passengers and help complete their travel bookings.
He also announced MEA’s readiness to participate in the expansion project for Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, estimated at approximately US$500 million, noting that the project enjoys the support of Banque du Liban Governor Karim Souaid and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. He expressed hope that the expansion would be completed during the term of President Joseph Aoun.
Al-Hout also thanked Minister Rasamny for completing the formation of the Civil Aviation Authority, establishing the Beirut International Airport Authority, and launching the Qlayaat Airport project, stressing that the latter complements Lebanon’s civil aviation sector rather than competing with Beirut Airport.
Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al-Hajjar described the inauguration of the VIP Lounge as another important step in the ongoing modernization of Lebanon’s public infrastructure despite the country’s challenging circumstances.
He affirmed that Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport remains Lebanon’s gateway to the world, stressing that the country’s security agencies stand fully prepared to preserve security and stability at the airport and throughout Lebanon.
Al-Hajjar welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume imports of Lebanese products, noting that the airport serves as one of the country’s principal export gateways. He also praised the United Arab Emirates’ decision to allow its citizens to travel to Lebanon, considering both decisions clear indicators of renewed international confidence in Lebanon and important contributors to revitalizing tourism and economic activity.
The project marks the first comprehensive rehabilitation of the VIP Lounge since the inauguration of Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport in April 1998.
The works included a complete redesign of the lounge, which previously consisted of three small rooms, a corridor, and back offices. It has now been transformed into three spacious reception halls, comprising two non-smoking lounges and one designated smoking lounge.
The project also increased the number of check-in counters from two to three and raised the ceiling by approximately 70 centimetres, creating a significantly more spacious environment and improving passenger flow.
Additional works included the construction of a fully equipped kitchen, a dedicated service area, and a new reception desk, alongside the complete replacement of the airport lounge’s electromechanical infrastructure, air conditioning, ventilation and lighting systems, the Baggage Handling System (BHS), and the check-in system.
The rehabilitation also encompassed all sanitary facilities using premium-grade materials and equipment, as well as the offices of the General Security Directorate, Customs, and the Internal Security Forces, in addition to the arrivals and departures corridors and security screening checkpoints.
These upgrades significantly enhance operational efficiency and elevate service quality, enabling the VIP Lounge to accommodate approximately 80 guests simultaneously, in line with the latest standards adopted at leading international airports.
