Lebanon has officially inaugurated its second international airport, with commercial operations expected to begin within weeks. The new facility, René Mouawad Airport (KYE/OLKA), is located in the northwestern Akkar region near the Syrian border.
The opening ceremony was led by Nawaf Salam, whose aircraft became the first jet to land at the airport. Until now, Rafik Hariri International Airport had been Lebanon’s only international gateway and has operated close to capacity in recent years, partly due to demand from Syrian travellers.
The government says the new airport will help stimulate economic development in Akkar, one of Lebanon’s poorest and most neglected regions. Salam described the project as a step toward more balanced regional development rather than simply an infrastructure investment.
According to Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny, initial routes are expected to connect the airport with Istanbul, Mersin, and Dubai. Future plans include services to Athens, Cairo, and Medina.
The airport is named after René Mouawad, who was assassinated shortly after his election in 1989 during the final phase of the Lebanese Civil War. His election by parliament had taken place at the airport itself, giving the site both practical and historical significance.
The launch marks the first major expansion of Lebanon’s international aviation infrastructure in decades and is intended to reduce pressure on Beirut while improving connectivity for the country’s north.