Event: Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut remains closed for commercial passenger flights until at least May 10, 2020. However, Middle East Airlines has scheduled flights on the following dates to specific destinations in order to repatriate Lebanese citizens: April 30 to London, May 2 to Paris, May 4 to London, May 6 to Frankfurt, May 6 to Paris, and May 8 to London. Qatar Airways also indicated its intention to operate a flight to Doha with onward U.S. connections in the next week. Information on this flight will be provided if/when it becomes available.
Important note: All Lebanese citizen U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) must provide U.S. addresses, copies of passports, and LPR cards to American Citizen Services at BeirutACS@state.gov prior to booking tickets. The Lebanese Government is requiring that the Embassy obtain permission for such Lebanese citizens to depart the country.
According to information provided by MEA, it will book outbound passengers subject to the below conditions. According to airline officials, in accordance with current European travel regulations, interested travelers must first confirm onward travel arrangements to their U.S. destinations before attempting to book with MEA. Travelers may wish to book fully refundable tickets for onward travel, as seats on the MEA flights are not guaranteed and are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may be purchased through the MEA Call Center at 01-629999 or online at www.mea.com.lb. Fares will vary according to destination.
When booking, please verify with MEA whether your baggage will be checked through to your U.S. destination and, if not, whether you will be permitted to pick it up in airports where baggage claim is located outside the transit area. Some European airports will not permit transiting passengers to leave the transit area for this purpose.
If you book one of the MEA flights to Paris, please be aware that every passenger transiting or entering France is required to present a completed International Travel Certificate (attestation) before they board the flight. The form is available in English on the U.S. Embassy in Paris website.
Once ticketed, U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) are asked to provide ticket/travel information to the American Citizen Services office through the following link https://bit.ly/2xbSyMZ. This will enable ACS to provide all travelers with additional flight-related information, and alert U.S. embassies at the transit destinations of your routing.
U.S. citizens normally resident in the United States, who are stranded in Lebanon because of the airport closure and who either lack or cannot access funds, may write to BeirutACS@state.gov to inquire about the possibility of a U.S. government loan to cover the ticket costs.
Actions to Take:
- Monitor local media and our Embassy website for updates.
- Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Review CDC recommended protective measures for travelers, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon
Awkar – Facing the Municipality, Main Street
Beirut, Lebanon
+961-4-542600 or +961-4-543600
BeirutACS@state.gov
https://lb.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
+1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
For further detailed information regarding travel and security in Lebanon:
- Visit the State Department’s travel website Travel.State.Gov to review the Lebanon Travel Advisory, Country-Specific Information for Lebanon, and the Worldwide Caution
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest security updates and make it easier for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency
- Follow the U.S. Embassy in Beirut on Twitter and Facebook