Aoun hails Trump move to officially lift ban on direct US flights

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially revoked a decades-old U.S. aviation ban on Lebanon, paving the way for direct flights between the two countries.

President Joseph Aoun welcomed the move in a statement, considering that "this decision is an indicator of confidence in the measures taken by the Lebanese state to ensure civil aviation safety, protect air traffic to and from Beirut, and enhance the security of flights connecting Lebanon to countries around the world."

Aoun thanked Trump and said he had shown responsiveness toward the request during their meeting at the White House last July.

Aoun also thanked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his close follow-up on this file.

He emphasized that Lebanon attaches "utmost importance" to civil aviation safety, the security of Beirut International Airport, and air navigation, and that Lebanon "continues to take the necessary measures in accordance with approved international standards to safeguard passenger safety and strengthen confidence in Lebanon and its institutions."

Aoun also hoped that it will contribute to boosting air traffic, facilitating communication between Lebanon and the world, and serving as an entry point for further cooperation between Lebanon and the United States across various fields.