France, Britain Warn their Airlines Would Stop Services to Beirut
France and Britain have hinted that they would stop their carriers from landing in Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport for failing to abide by international standards.
The issue has been lately discussed by Speaker Nabih Berri and the French Ambassador. A similar meeting was also held between Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and the British Ambassador, said As Safir daily on Wednesday.
According to the report, the airport suffers from major problems such as weak inspection of luggage and the failure to implement a plan to equip the facility with more lighting and security cameras.
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq confirmed to the newspaper that “the airport is suffering from major problems.”
He also confirmed that both Britain and France hinted they would stop their carriers from using the airport.
“This warning is serious but not final,” he said, adding that London and Paris are waiting for action from the Lebanese authorities to resolve the problems.
Al-Mashnouq hailed Speaker Nabih Berri for being the only official who is exerting efforts for the airport to meet the required standards.
Public Works Minister Ghazi Zoaiter also told As Safir that “the security of the airport and the safety of passengers are a red line.”
He said he has prioritized the issue out of his keenness for Lebanon to abide by international agreements and safety rules.
Zoaiter stressed that efforts are exerted to meet all the standards required by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union.
The minister said he will ask the cabinet to approve the required funding to continue with the implementation of planned projects and tackle the flaws at the airport.
The U.N.'s Montreal-based ICAO sets safety standards for international flights. Its audits evaluate countries' ability to oversee their airlines, including how well they conform to those standards.
In 2013, ICAO identified a significant safety concern with respect to Lebanon's ability to properly oversee its air operators under its jurisdiction.
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