British Airways returns to Beirut

Airline takes over BMI's operations

British Airways has resumed flights to Lebanon. The first BA commercial jet landed at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday (October 3), the first since 1992.

BA's mother company, International Airlines Group, acquired British Midland International (BMI) last April. BMI used to run flights between the UK and Beirut. The transition from BMI operated flights to British Airways ones will be complete by the end of this month.

Paolo De Renzis, British Airways' area commercial manager for the Middle East, said: “(This) flight marks an important step in the integration of BMI into British Airways’ operation.” BMI began flights to Lebanon in 2007. De Renzis said: “British Airways stopped operating in Lebanon for commercial reasons due to reduced passenger demand for flights and they were no longer profitable. The security situation reduced commercial demand on these routes and increased our operating costs.”

British Airways operates ten weekly flights during the summer, and daily flights in winter between Beirut and London Heathrow.“British Airways believes that it will compete effectively on the local market. "We introduce flights where we believe it will be profitable to do so and this is why we are flying to Lebanon again,” De Renzis said.