US lifts decades-old ban
on direct flights to Lebanon

Executive Order effective immediately

In a landmark decision for transatlantic aviation and bilateral trade, US President Donald Trump signed an official decree lifting presidential restrictions on air travel between the United States and Lebanon. The move formalizes a commitment made earlier this year and paves the way for the resumption of direct commercial flights between the two nations for the first time in decades.

The executive action, signed on September 30 and officially published in the US Federal Register on October 5, revokes a series of historical presidential directives dating back to 1985, 1992, 1998, and 2007. The administration concluded that the long-standing security restrictions are no longer required to safeguard aircraft traveling to or from Lebanon against unlawful seizure.

Key Highlights of the Executive Order
• Immediate Implementation: The decree instructs the US Secretary of Transportation to act immediately and rescind any existing rules or orders that conflict with the new policy.
• Fulfillment of July Commitment: The official signing completes the process initiated on July 21, when President Trump first announced his intent to restore direct air linkages during a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
• Diplomatic Response: Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh Mouawad publicly expressed gratitude for the decision, emphasizing that it creates a clear legal pathway for airlines to re-establish direct routes.

Economic and Commercial Impact
While the decree provides the regulatory clearance necessary for air service, it does not specify a precise launch date for commercial flights. Aviation authorities and commercial carriers will still need to complete routine operational logistics, safety assessments, and route planning before ticketing begins.

The decision is expected to yield significant economic benefits:
Trade & Commerce: Streamlines business travel and freight logistics between North America and the Levant region.
Tourism: Boosts inbound travel by eliminating multi-leg layovers for travelers from the Americas.
Diaspora:Provides direct access for the large Lebanese diaspora living in North America.

The decision removes nearly four decades of regulatory hurdles, marking a significant transition in US-Lebanon transport links and opening new commercial opportunities for airlines on both sides of the Atlantic.