Since the start of the open war between Israel and Hezbollah on September 23, 2024, the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut have suffered dozens of Israeli air raids which completely destroyed blocks of buildings and pushed people into exile. most of its 700,000 inhabitants. This region, where Hezbollah has established its leadership, extends to the runways of Beirut international airport, which did not suspend its activities despite the close proximity of the air attacks.
3 mins
With our correspondent in Lebanon,
Apart from private jets or aircraft chartered by foreign countries to evacuate their nationals or deliver aid to the Lebanonno planes land or take off from Beirut anymore, with the exception of those of the Lebanese national airline. There Middle East Airlines (MEA) is now the only route of entry or exit, especially since the closure of the main land border crossing point between Lebanon and Syria at Masnaa, in the east of the country.
This road is cut by deep craters caused by Israeli bombs. Repair work has not started there due to the lack of guarantees that maintenance crews will not be targeted by fighter-bombers.
Surreal scenes
Images of MEA planes landing or taking off from Beirut airport at the time of Israeli raids have made the rounds on the Internet and in the media around the world. A surreal scene worthy of the best Hollywood films. In images taken by the cameras of journalists posted on the heights overlooking the southern suburbs of Beirut or by residents of the capital, we can see MEA planes at takeoff or landingat the same time as Israeli fighter-bombers dropped their bombs on the region.
The strikes – very violent – often take place a few dozen meters from the airport road or a few hundred meters from the runways. The most impressive images are those taken from inside the planes. Passengers or crew members immortalized the very second of a missile explosion. A now famous photo, taken through a porthole, shows a thick column of smoke rising from a bombed site, a short distance from the camera.
A legendary national company
And yet, considering the risks incurred by pilots, crew members and ground staff, and the sharp increase in insurance costs due to the war, travel prices remain reasonable in the opinion of customers. and experts. However, ticket prices to certain destinations have sometimes risen by 20%, but they remain understandable when we see the dangerous conditions in which the MEA and its staff operate.
To some extent, this war has reconciled the Lebanese with their mythical national company which was widely criticized in recent years due to the deterioration of its services and the prices of its tickets considered abusive. The MEA is today the only remaining link between Lebanon and the outside world. If it is not yet broken, it is because Western countries are exerting pressure on Israel. The day these pressures disappear or are no longer sufficient, this last door will close.
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