LEBANON: Trump Cancels Four Lebanon-related Decisions, Paving The Way For The Resumption Of Direct Flights
BEIRUT, Lebanon US President Donald Trump revoked four executive orders that formed the basis of US restrictions on air travel with Lebanon. The revocation paves the way for resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
BEIRUT, Lebanon
- US President Donald Trump revoked four executive orders that formed the basis of US restrictions on air travel with Lebanon.
- The revocation paves the way for resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
- Executive Order 2026-25, signed on September 30, 2026, and published in the Federal Register on October 5, completely revoked the orders issued in 1985, 1992, 1998, and 2007.
- In terms of what the orders entailed, on 1 July 1985, two weeks after TWA Flight 847 was hijacked and diverted to Beirut, President Ronald Reagan issued Presidential Determination 85-14. He found that Lebanon had acted inconsistently with the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, because Beirut had not restored control of the aircraft to its commander or returned the aircraft and its cargo. On that finding, he barred US carriers from operating to and from Lebanon, direct or by interline, and suspended the US traffic rights of Middle East Airlines and the now defunct Trans Mediterranean Airways.
- The three later orders did not supplant that ban but rather added caveats to it. In 1992, cargo was allowed back while in 1998, interlines for US carriers with partner carriers serving Lebanon were reinstated. In 2007, US carriers were then allowed to move passengers, humanitarian goods and other cargo albeit on military contracts only. Direct commercial service by a US airline stayed barred until Determination 2026-25 revoked all four on 30 September 2026.
- Trump stated that the restrictions were no longer necessary and directed the US Secretary of Transportation to implement their withdrawal immediately and rescind any conflicting regulations or orders.
- The order removes the presidential basis for the restrictions but does not automatically mean flights will resume.
- It does not constitute a declaration that all necessary operational and security approvals have been obtained.
- It does not specify an airline, route or start date for operations.
- The Lebanese Embassy in Washington welcomed the decision.
- The embassy said the move follows President Trump's announcement after his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House on July 21, 2026, and the subsequent meeting between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 28, 2026.
- The decision reflects confidence in security measures taken by Lebanese authorities. Lebanon is now preparing for an IASA audit by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which, if secured, would grant it Category 1 status and therefore eligible for US flights.
- Resumption of direct flights will enhance communication with the Lebanese community in the United States and open horizons for tourism, trade, investment and exchange.
- As previously reported, Middle East Airlines has ordered A330-900neo which it intends to use for its US services.
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