Global airports & airlines →AirlinesAirports.com
IndianAirports.com
Technologia Google TłumaczTłumacz
BEY · large airport

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport

Beirut, Lebanon

Clear sky
Airports
BEYlarge airport

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport

Beirut, Lebanon
Explore Beirut city guide Navigate to this airport
67
Routes out
45
Destinations
OLBA
ICAO
87 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Lebanon's primary gateway to the Middle East and world.

Opened
1954
Location
Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY/OLBA) is the sole international airport serving Lebanon and the primary aviation hub for the country. Located approximately 9 kilometres south of Beirut's city centre, it handles the vast majority of Lebanon's air traffic, connecting the country to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. The airport was renamed in honour of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri following his assassination in 2005. It underwent significant modernisation in the late 1990s and early 2000s, expanding capacity to accommodate growing passenger demand. Despite Lebanon's ongoing political and economic challenges, the airport has remained a critical lifeline for the Lebanese diaspora and international business. The airport has experienced periods of closure and disruption due to regional conflicts, including significant damage during the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war. It continues to operate as the country's sole commercial aviation facility, making its resilience and continuity of operations a matter of national importance.
Terminals
The airport operates a single main passenger terminal building handling all international and domestic flights.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include taxis and private car services, as there is no metro or rail link directly connecting the airport to Beirut city centre.
Airlines here
Middle East Airlines (MEA), the Lebanese flag carrier, is the primary hub airline, with additional service from carriers including Air France, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
Notable facts
  • ›Renamed after assassinated Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005.
  • ›Located approximately 9 km south of Beirut's city centre.
  • ›The airport was targeted and temporarily closed during the 2006 Lebanon-Israel conflict.
  • ›It is the only international commercial airport in Lebanon.
  • ›Middle East Airlines (MEA) uses Beirut as its primary hub and home base.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to the Levant, where the Mediterranean meets the mountains

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, named after the assassinated former Prime Minister, has served as Lebanon's sole commercial airport since 1954 and remains the primary air link connecting the country to the world. Situated roughly 9 kilometres south of Beirut's city centre on the coastal plain, the airport carries a resilient history marked by wars, closures, and repeated revivals. Despite Lebanon's ongoing economic and political challenges, BEY continues to handle millions of passengers annually and serves as a key hub for Middle East Airlines.

Terminals
  • Terminal 1 — The main and only operational passenger terminal, handling all international arrivals and departures with duty-free shopping, dining, and airline lounges.
Ground Transport
  • Taxi (official airport taxis available at the arrivals exit, metered or negotiated fare)
  • Private hire and ride-hailing apps (Allo Taxi, InDrive)
  • Car rental desks inside the arrivals hall (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar)
  • Shared service taxis (service) available on the airport road toward Beirut
  • Hotel shuttle buses for select Beirut properties (pre-booking advised)
Nearby Hotels
  • Coral Beirut Al Hamra
  • Crowne Plaza Beirut
  • Le Commodore Hotel Beirut
  • Smallville Hotel Beirut
  • Gefinor Rotana
Dining

Inside the terminal, passengers can find a modest selection of cafés, fast-food outlets, and Lebanese snack kiosks offering staples such as manoushe, shawarma, and fresh juices. Duty-free and airside options expand slightly post-security with a few sit-down café concepts. For a fuller dining experience, the nearby Beirut suburbs of Jnah and Khalde offer local restaurants serving authentic Lebanese cuisine just minutes from the airport.

Traveller Tips
  • Arrive at least 3 hours before international flights, as security and check-in queues can be lengthy during peak summer travel season.
  • Carry US dollars or Lebanese pounds in cash — card payment acceptance can be inconsistent due to the country's banking crisis.
  • Confirm your airline's baggage allowance and any Lebanon-specific customs rules before travelling, particularly regarding cash declarations.
  • Public bus service to the airport is limited and unreliable; pre-arranged taxis or rental cars are strongly recommended for reliable transfers.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (44 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

BEY → CDGAF · 772 343
BEY → ALGAH · 736
BEY → CMNAT · 738
BEY → MXPAZ · 320
BEY → FCOAZ · 32S 320 319
BEY → MSQB2 · CRJ
BEY → LHRBA · 321
BEY → LCACY · 320
BEY → DXBEK · 773
BEY → ADDET · 738
BEY → AUHEY · 320
BEY → DWCFZ · 73H
BEY → SHJG9 · 320
BEY → BAHGF · 320
BEY → MHDIR · 313
BEY → IKAIR · 313 320
BEY → KWIJ9 · 320
BEY → AMMIY · 330
BEY → SAHIY · 330
BEY → KWIKU · AB6 320
BEY → FRALH · 32A 321 320
BEY → ACCME · 332
BEY → AMMME · 321 320
BEY → ATHME · 320
BEY → AUHME · 320
BEY → BGWME · 321 320
BEY → BRUME · 320
BEY → BSRME · 320
BEY → EBLME · 321 320
BEY → EVNME · 320
BEY → FRAME · 320
BEY → ISTME · 320 332 321
BEY → KANME · 332
BEY → KWIME · 320
BEY → LOSME · 332
BEY → MXPME · 320
BEY → OTPME · 73W
BEY → SVOME · 320 319
BEY → CAIME · 320 321
BEY → CDGME · 332
BEY → DMMME · 320
BEY → DOHME · 320
BEY → DXBME · 332 320
BEY → FCOME · 32S 320 319
BEY → GVAME · 320
BEY → JEDME · 320 332
BEY → LCAME · 321 320
BEY → LHRME · 320 332
BEY → MEDME · 320
BEY → NJFME · 321
BEY → RUHME · 320 332 321
BEY → TUNME · 320
BEY → CAIMS · 738 320 E70
BEY → HBEMS · E70
BEY → SAWPC · 738
BEY → DOHQR · 320 321
BEY → AMMRJ · E75 E95 320 319
BEY → OTPRO · 733
BEY → SXFST · 73G
BEY → SVOSU · 320 319
Hotels near BEY

Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.

Compare stays for your dates

IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.

City & Place Guide

No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via BEY? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Lebanon from official government sources.

Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is the only operational commercial airport in Lebanon. It is located in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from the city center. The airport is the hub for Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA) and was the hub for the Lebanese cargo carrier TMA cargo and Wings of Lebanon before their respective collapses.

Read full article on Wikipedia