Airport Overview

Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (Arabic: مطار رفيق الحريري الدولي بيروت, (previously known as Beirut International Airport) (IATA: BEY, ICAO: OLBA) is the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon, which is located in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) from the city centre. It is the hub for Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA), and was the hub for the Lebanese cargo carrier Cargo and Wings of Lebanon before their respective collapses.

The airport is named after former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005, who was assassinated earlier that year.

It is the main port of entry into the country along with the Port of Beirut. The airport is managed and operated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which operates within the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. The DGCA is also responsible for operating the air traffic control (ATC) at the airport as well as controlling Lebanon's airspace. DGCA duties include maintenance and general upkeep ranging from cleaning the terminal to de-rubberizing the runways.

 

The airport features modern infrastructure and facilities, including two runways and several passenger terminals. The terminals are designed to handle both domestic and international flights, with separate areas for arrivals and departures. The airport has a range of services and amenities for passengers, including lounges, retail shops, restaurants, and duty-free outlets.

 

Operations and Key Bottlenecks/Procedural Issues:

While the airport aims to provide efficient operations, several bottlenecks and procedural issues have been reported, affecting both operators and customers. Some of the key challenges include:

 

• Security Concerns: Given Lebanon's geopolitical situation, security measures at the airport can be stringent, leading to longer processing times and thorough checks for passengers and luggage. This may cause delays and inconvenience for travellers.

 

• Air Traffic Congestion: Rafic Hariri International Airport experiences significant air traffic congestion, particularly during peak travel periods. Limited airspace capacity and the presence of military operations in the vicinity can contribute to congestion and delays.

 

• Infrastructure Limitations: Despite its modern facilities, the airport's infrastructure may face limitations, especially considering the increasing passenger traffic. Insufficient capacity, including limited check-in counters, security screening lanes, and immigration facilities, may result in congestion and longer waiting times.

 

• Customs and Immigration Procedures: Delays in customs and immigration procedures have been reported, with passengers experiencing lengthy queues and processing times. These delays can be a source of frustration for travellers.

 

• Operational Challenges: The airport has faced operational challenges, such as flight delays and cancellations, which can impact both operators and passengers. These issues can be attributed to a variety of factors, including air traffic congestion, weather conditions, and operational disruptions.

 

 

Airport Location and Contact
Country	Lebanon
Province or District	Beirut
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Airport	Beirut 9 KM
Airport’s Complete Name	Rafic Hariri International Airport
Latitude	33.820931
Longitude	35.488389
Elevation (ft and m)	87 feet (27 m)
IATA Code	BEY
ICAO Code	OLBA
Managing Company or Airport Authority	Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
Management Contact Person	General Director: Eng. Fadi El-Hassan Tel: (961)1628195 - (961)1628196- (961)1628197 Fax: (961)1629010 felhassan75@gmail.com
Open From (hours)	24/7
Open To (hours)	24/7

 

Airport Picture

 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

FBO/Handlers:

 

• Cedar Jet Center
• Executive Aircraft Services

Charter operators

 

• Cedar Executive
• Emerald Jets
• Med Airways
• Princess Aviation
• IBEX Air Charter

Maintenance providers

• Mideast Aircraft Service Co (MASCO)
• Executive Aircraft Services

For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link:  4.5 Airport Companies Contact List.

Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator

 

Performance for 2022
	Per Year	Per Month	Per Day
Total Aircraft Movements	6,544	545	18
Total Passengers	6,349,799	529,149	17,396
Total Capacity of the Airport (MT)	n/a	n/a	n/a
Current Activity of the Airport (MT)	106,361	8.863	291.4
Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS)	n/a	n/a	n/a

The airport acts as a crucial gateway linking the country to the rest of the world while being located in the centre of Beirut, Lebanon. Currently, a key element of Beirut's logistics scene is the airport's cargo capability. This capability does not, however, come without difficulties. Important limitations including aging infrastructure and constrained handling capacity have occasionally caused bottlenecks and delays. Measures are being taken to improve the performance of the airport's cargo to get around these obstacles.

A thorough modernization strategy that includes enlarged cargo terminals, improved equipment for handling, and simplified customs procedures is currently under development. Within the following two years, these improvements are anticipated to be finished. Once implemented, these developments are predicted to greatly increase the airport in Beirut's cargo capacity, accelerating the transportation of cargo.

Runways

The lifeblood that connects Lebanon to the skies is the runway at Beirut Airport. The runway is now in fair shape thanks to ongoing maintenance operations that guarantee its operational integrity. The runway's durability, however, could be jeopardized by the airport's proximity to the shore and the difficult local climatic conditions, which include salt exposure and high temperatures. The runway's future usability and ability to serve as a vital hub for regional air traffic will depend on ongoing inspection and preventive maintenance.

Runway #1
Runway Dimensions	3,800x45 m
Orientation	North South
Surface	Concrete

 

Runway #2
Runway Dimensions	3,395 x45 m
Orientation	North South
Surface	Concrete

 

Runway #3
Runway Dimensions	3,250x60 m
Orientation	North South
Surface	Concrete

 

Helicopter Pad(s)

The helipad, which is conveniently located within the Beirut Airport complex, is a key hub for quick aerial connectivity. The helipad is currently in good working order thanks to regular maintenance. The helipad's small size and the rising demand for helicopter services, however, might make it difficult for it to be used in the future. As a result, it needs to be carefully managed so that it can handle rising traffic while maintaining safety standards.

 

Helipad #1
Present	Yes
Largest Helicopter that can Land	No restriction
Width and Length (m)	No limitation
Surface	Concrete

Airport Infrastructure Details

The airstrip at Beirut Airport is a crucial piece of infrastructure that supports the complex dance of aircraft movements. Runways, taxiways, aprons, and other crucial components are all included in the airfield. Currently, routine maintenance is performed on the airfield equipment to guarantee safe and effective operations. Carriers have, on occasion, expressed issues about parking availability during peak hours, which might cause brief delays. Apron areas will be expanded as part of measures to remedy this, improving the airport's ability to accommodate more aviation traffic. These planned upgrades are anticipated to reduce congestion problems and maximize the overall effectiveness of aircraft movements, enhancing the airport's standing as a significant regional hub.

 

Customs	Yes	JET A-1 fuel	Yes
Immigration	Yes	AVGAS 100	Yes
Terminal Building	Yes	Single Point Refueling	Yes
Passenger Terminal	Yes	Air Starter Units	Yes
Cargo terminal	Yes	Ground Power (mobile)	Yes
Pax Transport to Airfield	Yes	Ground Handling Services	Yes
Control Tower	Yes	Latrine Servicing	Yes
Weather Facilities	Yes	Fire Fighting Category (ICAO)	Yes
Catering Services	Yes	De-icing Equipment	Yes
Base Operating Room	Yes	Parking Ramp Lighting	Yes
Airport Radar	Yes	Approach & Runway Lights	Yes
NDB	Yes	VOR	Yes
ILS	Yes		Yes

Airport Operating Details

Operating Details
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo	No limitation
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet	No limitation
Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²)	n/a
Storage Area (m3 and MT)	Import warehouse space 5000 m2 - Export warehouse space 650 m2: Six positions for pallets build-up-m3: n/a
Handling Equipment
Elevators / Hi Loaders	Yes	Max Capacity (MT)	n/a
		Max Height (m)	n/a
Loading Ramps	Yes
Other Comments	One of MEAG's main business operations is ramp handling, where they provide a full variety of aircraft services for all types of aircraft, including freighters. Baggage loading and unloading, mail and freight delivery, ULD storage facilities, pushback and towing, marshalling, water and sanitary services, ground power units, air starter units, air conditioning units, station control (Red Caps), load control (weight & balance, load sheet), and aircraft cabin cleaning are all included in the ramp services.

Customs Guidance

All UN agencies and foreign NGOs that are formally registered with the Lebanese government own a financial number provided by the Ministry of Finance, allowing them to be exempt from all customs, VAT, and entrance taxes at ports and borders, with the exception of the services costs that must be paid.

Storage Facilities

MEA (Middle East Airlines) offers a modern 2000 m², three-level warehouse accommodates customers’ imported cargo. E-Champ, and also MEA offers the following services:

 

• Palletizing
• Documentation
• Inventory Control
• Cargo Transport to /from aircraft
• Dangerous goods handling
• Live animal handling
• Tracing
• ULD build-up and breakdown
• Freight storage services of all kinds
• Courier and express services
• Handling of valuable freight
• Handling perishable good
• Airfield Costs

NAVIGATION CHARGES

Charges	Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg)
	0 - 7,000	7,001 - 136,000	136,001 and over
Navigation (per journey) USD - $	50$	100$	100$
Landing USD - $	4$/1000 Kg
Night Landing USD - $
Night Take-Off USD - $
Parking	Less than an hour 5750-from 1 h to 2 h:8500-less than a day:140000
Handling Charges	n/a

FUEL SERVICES CHARGES

Fuel services are essential to Lebanon's Beirut Airport's support of the aviation sector. Aircraft operators often pay fees for jet fuel (Jet A-1) and avgas based on the amount of fuel they require. The fees are frequently based on volume (liters or gallons) and are determined by current market rates. These rates may change depending on variables including regional supply dynamics and world oil prices.

Operators are only charged for the actual fuel that they take from the airport's fueling stations. The charges are then added up using the unit cost per liter or gallon, which is determined by the state of the market and governmental regulations. These fees cover the cost of the airport's fuel production, storage, transportation, and handling services. In order to properly manage their operational costs and flight planning, operators must be aware of these fees and the factors that affect them.

 

	Price per Litre USD - $
Jet A-1	3.12
Avgas	4

CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES

AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES

Airbridge fees are a crucial part of the aviation operational environment at Beirut Airport in Lebanon. Airlines that use the airport's boarding bridges for passenger boarding and landing are responsible for paying these fees. With a normal cost of 150,000 Lebanese pounds (or 100 USD) for each period of three hours or a fraction thereof, the fees are typically assessed on a time-based basis.

Based on how long an aircraft occupies an air bridge, airlines are charged for its use. The fees are designed to pay for the boarding bridges' upkeep, operation, and servicing, which are essential for a smooth and effective passenger boarding process. This pricing structure incentivizes airlines to make the best use of boarding bridges, aligning with operational effectiveness, and boosting the airport's revenue stream. When operating at Beirut Airport, airlines must take these fees into account when determining their operational costs.

 

Security

To protect the security of passengers and aviation operations, Beirut Airport's security procedures are of utmost importance. The airport uses a complex security architecture that includes access control, surveillance systems, passenger and bag screening, and stringent security procedures in line with global aviation security standards. The geopolitical tensions in the area have, however, occasionally presented the airport with difficulties that have necessitated the need for increased attention.

Ongoing efforts are being made to strengthen the current security apparatus in order to allay these worries. The implementation of cutting-edge screening technologies, thorough security staff training programs, and tight cooperation with international partners to exchange intelligence are all part of these measures. The objective is to strengthen the airport's security posture and guarantee a safe environment for all parties. Even though Beirut Airport's exact international rankings or security measures may vary, the ongoing improvement efforts reflect the airport's dedication to upholding international aviation security standards and protecting its reputation as a safe travel hub.