Escalation: Trump Orders Direct Flights to Lebanon
President Donald Trump directed the U.S. government to let U.S. airlines resume nonstop flights to Lebanon, ending a decades-long ban. He announced it Tuesday after a meeting with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun; some reports date it July 21, others July 22, 2026.
This would be the first direct service in over 40 years, with several outlets calling it a 40- to 41-year gap. The ban traces back to security concerns after the 1985 TWA Flight 847 hijacking.
Trump said he hopes other countries will also allow direct travel to “this beautiful land.” Reports say all U.S. carriers would be eligible to apply for the routes.
Flights will not start immediately. Economy Middle East and others note resumption is subject to airport security reviews and other federal clearances, plus airlines choosing to launch service.
No airlines, routes, or start dates were announced. Next steps are regulatory reviews and carrier scheduling decisions before any tickets go on sale.
Synthesized from 11 sources
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