Talk has returned again about reopening Qlayaat Airport, specifically before the summer, after the recent meeting of the Public Works and Transport Committee. Minister of Works Fayez Rasamny reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reopening the airport before the summer season, noting that this date may change depending on technical and logistical progress. This step faces political and technical challenges related to approving terms and conditions and providing the necessary financing.

The Council of Ministers was supposed to discuss in its last session, which was held last Friday, the issue of assigning the Council for Development and Reconstruction to contract with the “Nice” company to carry out the initial rehabilitation and maintenance work to start operating the Qlayaat Airport, but the decision on this matter was postponed until next week to complete the required documents and papers.

Head of the Works Committee, MP Saji Attiya, expected that Qlayaat Airport would begin operations within three or four months. Press information stated that there is a tendency to request the Middle East Company to send an Airbus aircraft to perform a test landing at the airport in order to conduct an accurate assessment that will allow one to know the extent of the airport’s ground capacity and readiness to accommodate aircraft of this type, and whether this ground needs to be rehabilitated again or merely restored and repaired.

The importance of Qlayaat Airport:

The restart of René Moawad Airport or Klayaat Airport is considered a strategic necessity to strengthen Lebanon’s air infrastructure and economically revitalize the northern region, as it is expected to provide about 6,000 job opportunities. It will be a complementary airport to Beirut International Airport, serving passenger and cargo traffic. Work is currently underway to attract international companies to participate in its rehabilitation and operation, and 26 companies have expressed their interest in entering into tenders or in partnership with it.

Dar Al-Handasah Company has prepared a preliminary study and conditions books for operating Qlayaat Airport, with a preliminary vision of the mechanism and operational plan, but it needs review by the Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority, which was appointed months ago by the Council of Ministers to determine the cost and appropriate investors.

The government is expected to complete the tender to operate and develop the airport by the first quarter of 2026, that is, next March. This includes identifying the investor or company that will equip and manage it according to the partnership system with the private sector.

After that, maintenance, infrastructure and equipment work is expected to begin in mid-2026, and may take approximately 6 to 9 months, and includes: preparing the runway and operational areas, establishing passenger, security and customs facilities, hiring and training employees, and operating air navigation systems.

According to some estimates, Qlayaat Airport may witness its trial opening at the end of 2026, with the start of operating domestic flights or through small aircraft companies before expanding operations. It should be noted that these dates are estimates and may change due to funding or regulatory and political obstacles.

How the airport works:

In order to operate properly and safely, Qlayaat Airport needs basic infrastructure, runways and taxiways ready in accordance with international standards, a modern lighting and navigation system, suitable passenger lounges, facilities for aircraft maintenance, regulatory services, security management (customs and public security), human and technical resources, training of pilots and air traffic control personnel, in addition to logistical and operational support teams.

Operating mechanism:

The Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority has received the project file and is evaluating the technical and financial studies.

It is expected that the airport will be operated through a private sector partnership (PPP) or an investing company that will commit to the project for a specific period, such as a BOT system, or a long-term partnership. Small airlines or developers may be involved in managing the passenger terminal and services.

If the project succeeds according to the initial schedule, internal test flights may be operated in late 2026 and then expanded later in 2027.

From an Allied base to a military and civilian airport:

President Rene Moawad Airport is classified as a civilian and military airport due to the presence of a military base currently occupied by the army. It is 105 kilometers from the capital, Beirut, 25 kilometers from the city of Tripoli, and about 6 kilometers from the Lebanese-Syrian border.

It was established by the Allies in 1941 during World War II, as a military airport, and in 1960 it was transformed into a small airport belonging to the ABC Oil Company, where it was used to transport engineers, employees, and workers between Lebanon and the Arab countries, then it took on the character of a civil airport.

In 1966, the army took control of the airport until 1969 to train pilots on French Mirage aircraft. In 1968, it was considered one of the most prestigious airports in the region after the army prepared it to receive “Mirage” aircraft.

Qlayaat Airport extends over an area of ​​5.5 million square meters distributed as follows: The southern part has an area of ​​3.25 million square meters for the airport, and the northern part, which is the investment area, has an area of ​​2.25 million square meters, and is linked to a network of international coastal and inland roads. The airport is also equipped with a runway 3,200 meters long, which can be increased by an additional 400 metres, and 60 meters wide, with a length parallel to the length of the runway. It has equipment, fuel depots, maintenance hangars, spare parts, communications equipment, and radar.