LBCI

Tourism chief says Beirut airport traffic rising but falls short of summer hopes

25-07-2025 | 07:10

Share

Share

Tourism chief says Beirut airport traffic rising but falls short of summer hopes

Jean Abboud, head of Lebanon’s travel and tourism agencies syndicate, said passenger traffic through Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport has seen a “notable improvement” since the beginning of July, with a steady upward trend in both flights and arrivals.

In a statement, Abboud said the airport now receives between 100 and 105 flights daily, carrying between 17,000 and 18,000 passengers — sometimes even 20,000.

He acknowledged that while the current numbers are solid, the initial momentum of the summer season was dampened by the Iranian-Israeli conflict, which discouraged some visitors from traveling to Lebanon and the wider region.

“Expectations for the 2025 summer season were 20 to 25 percent higher than what we’re witnessing now,” Abboud said. “Hopes were pinned on a season similar to the summer of 2010. Unfortunately, that didn’t materialize, and that’s disappointing because our economy urgently needs a boost, and tourism is its backbone.”

Lebanon News

Lebanon

Jean Abboud

Tourism

Beirut

Rafic Hariri International Airport

Next

Lebanon’s State Security hails troops’ efforts in new year security plan

Recommended For You

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

12:09

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Israeli army to pull out of southern Lebanon pilot zones Tuesday: Axios

11:01

Israeli army to pull out of southern Lebanon pilot zones Tuesday: Axios

US State Department: Pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar El Gharbiyeh

09:09

US State Department: Pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar El Gharbiyeh

Saudi Crown Prince and Lebanese President discuss regional developments in phone call

06:13

Saudi Crown Prince and Lebanese President discuss regional developments in phone call

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Xi says China ready to aid Venezuela 'reconstruction' after quakes: Xinhua

2026-06-26

Xi says China ready to aid Venezuela 'reconstruction' after quakes: Xinhua

Saudi Crown Prince and Lebanese President discuss regional developments in phone call

06:13

Saudi Crown Prince and Lebanese President discuss regional developments in phone call

Aoun, Trump expected to hold phone call

2026-06-27

Aoun, Trump expected to hold phone call

US military says completed 90-minute wave of strikes on Iran

Middle East News

2026-07-15

US military says completed 90-minute wave of strikes on Iran

Videos

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

12:09

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat opening ceremony held in presence of Lebanese officials—Video

2026-06-06

Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat opening ceremony held in presence of Lebanese officials—Video

Israeli army releases footage of first tank crossing Litani River toward Beaufort Castle

2026-05-31

Israeli army releases footage of first tank crossing Litani River toward Beaufort Castle

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

US State Department: Pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar El Gharbiyeh

1

US State Department: Pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar El Gharbiyeh

Saudi Crown Prince and Lebanese President discuss regional developments in phone call

2

Saudi Crown Prince and Lebanese President discuss regional developments in phone call

Madrid erupts in cheers: Spain beats Argentina 1-0, winning the World Cup

3

Madrid erupts in cheers: Spain beats Argentina 1-0, winning the World Cup

Israeli army to pull out of southern Lebanon pilot zones Tuesday: Axios

4

Israeli army to pull out of southern Lebanon pilot zones Tuesday: Axios

Cuba has infiltrated highest levels of US government: State Dept

5

Cuba has infiltrated highest levels of US government: State Dept

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis announce maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia

6

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis announce maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia

Hamas says Khalil al-Hayya elected as group's new chief

7

Hamas says Khalil al-Hayya elected as group's new chief

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

8

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More