Lebanese airline MEA records 20% drop in passenger volume amid war impact

Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA) aims to keep flying despite the tough conditions of operating in a war zone that has shrunk its business and slashed passenger volumes by 20% since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war in October 7. With the Gaza war leading to increased fighting between Lebanon's Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces on the border, state-owned MEA has been forced to park some of its planes in Turkey and face reductions in its aircraft insurance cover. “If you see the challenges that Middle East Airlines has, we wish we had similar problems to what other airlines are facing," Mohamad El Hout, MEA chairman, said. "We are in the midst of the most difficult and complicated security and political situations in Lebanon and the whole region. We have difficulties getting aircraft insurance against wars." The airline has faced geopolitical risk in the past, most notably in 2006 when an Israeli air strike destroyed three runways at Beirut International Airport. There are now fears that an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah might make it the deadliest since the 2006 war. Hezbollah said it will not cease its attacks until Israel ends its siege on the Gaza Strip, where more than 37,600 Palestinians have been killed.<br/>