Rasamny inspects Qlayaat Airport readiness
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, on Wednesday conducted an inspection tour of René Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat as part of ongoing preparations for the launch of its first phase of operations, with the inaugural flight to Cairo still scheduled for November 15.
Rasamny was accompanied by MP Saji Attieh, Chairman of Parliament’s Public Works and Transport Committee; Ziad Monla, Chairman of Monla Group, the parent company of Sky Lounge Services; Mohammad Shatila, Chairman and Director General of Beirut Airport Enterprise (BIAE); BIAE Board Member Jalal Haidar; and several officials and aviation sector representatives.
The visit included a comprehensive inspection of the airport’s facilities and infrastructure, including the passenger terminal, runway and access road connecting the main entrance to the terminal building.
The delegation reviewed progress on ongoing works and equipment installation and received a detailed briefing on completed tasks and outstanding requirements ahead of the airport’s operational launch.
A coordination meeting was also held to conduct a comprehensive review of the Airport Certification Checklist, covering the requirements and procedures necessary for airport certification.
Participants discussed the remaining steps to be completed in coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the required technical, operational and security standards.
During the visit, officials reaffirmed that November 15 remained the scheduled date for the first flight from Qlayaat Airport to Cairo, Egypt, marking a historic milestone in the airport’s reactivation and its gradual transition to the initial operational phase.
Preparations will continue in parallel to fulfill the outstanding requirements and procedures necessary for regular flight operations.
Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal subsequently joined the inspection tour, accompanied by Air Force Commander Brigadier General Michel Saifi and Qlayaat Air Base Commander Colonel Elie Kamel.
They reviewed the airport’s operational readiness and facilities and participated in coordination meetings addressing the requirements for the next phase.
On the ground, work continued on equipping the passenger terminal, where the installation of baggage handling and sorting systems had begun. The systems are a key component of the operational infrastructure needed to facilitate passenger and baggage movements.
The airport also received a new firefighting vehicle from the Lebanese Army, strengthening its emergency response capabilities and supporting compliance with aviation safety requirements.
The meetings were described as positive and constructive, reflecting the commitment of all stakeholders to maintaining close coordination, completing outstanding works and expediting the airport’s readiness for the first phase of operations.
For its part, Sky Lounge Services reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the relevant government authorities.
The company stressed that the upcoming phase represented a significant step toward restoring operations at Qlayaat Airport, with infrastructure development, equipment installation and service improvements to continue progressively.
It further emphasized that these efforts would help establish Qlayaat as an additional aviation gateway for Lebanon and a promising driver of economic development in Akkar and northern Lebanon.
