Inside Lebanon's future Qlayaat Airport: Military air base set for civilian revival

Report by Petra Abou Haidar, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi

A new airport is expected to emerge soon from the grounds of the Lebanese Army's air base in Qlayaat, marking the first step toward transforming the long-dormant facility into northern Lebanon's second civilian gateway.

Located about three kilometers from the Syrian border, the air base is preparing for a major redevelopment project that aims to convert part of the military facility into a commercial airport.

Exclusive to LBCI, and for the first time, the inside of the future airport will be revealed. The main entrance will be accessed through a road lined with green spaces, running alongside the runway and leading directly to the central terminal area.

At the heart of the project stands a building that once served as an officers' club. The structure is scheduled for demolition and will be replaced by a new passenger terminal. Only the surrounding palm trees, which date back to the original construction of the facility, are expected to remain.

Adjacent to the future terminal, another building will be renovated and converted into the airport's control tower and operations center.

A dedicated aircraft parking area is also planned in front of the terminal and control facilities, where aircraft operated by Sky Lounge are expected to be stationed.

The airport currently features two runways, a primary runway and a secondary runway, each stretching approximately three kilometers, providing infrastructure capable of accommodating commercial aviation operations.

The eastern section of the site will remain under the control of the Lebanese Army as an operational air base, preserving the military role of the facility alongside the planned civilian airport.

The redevelopment project is set to be officially launched during a ceremony scheduled for Saturday. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is expected to attend the event aboard a Sky Lounge aircraft, which would become the first plane to land at the facility in 37 years.

Qlayaat Airport will be a strategic development opportunity for northern Lebanon. Beyond improving transportation links for residents of surrounding areas, the airport is expected to stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and strengthen trade and tourism opportunities.

Its proximity to Syria's coastal region is also seen as a potential advantage, offering easier access for travelers and businesses on both sides of the border if regional conditions allow.