Rene Mouawad Air Base
Tripoli, Lebanon
Rene Mouawad Air Base
Lebanon's northern military air base with civil aviation history.
- ›Named after Lebanese President René Mouawad, assassinated in 1989.
- ›Primarily functions as a Lebanese Armed Forces military base.
- ›Located near Tripoli, Lebanon's second-largest city.
- ›Has been periodically considered for expanded civilian use to relieve Beirut airport.
- ›Carries IATA code KYE and ICAO code OLKA.
Rene Mouawad Air Base, designated KYE, is a military airfield located near Tripoli in northern Lebanon, named after Lebanese President René Mouawad who was assassinated in 1989. The facility has historically served both military and limited civilian purposes, situated along Lebanon's northern coastline. Its role as a commercial gateway remains secondary to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, though it holds strategic significance for the region.
- Military Terminal — Primary facility serving Lebanese Armed Forces operations with limited civilian access.
- Shared taxi (service taxi) from Tripoli city center
- Private taxi hire from Tripoli
- Car rental agencies in Tripoli city
- Koura Hills Hotel
- Pinewood Hotel Tripoli
- Quality Inn Tripoli
- Safir Hotel Tripoli
Dining options within the base itself are restricted to military personnel and authorized visitors. Tripoli city center, approximately 8 kilometres away, offers abundant Lebanese cuisine including traditional mezze, grilled meats, and the city's famous sweets such as halawet el-jibn. Local restaurants along the coastal road near the base provide accessible options for travellers in the area.
- Confirm in advance whether any civilian operations are active, as scheduled services are infrequent and subject to change.
- Carry your passport and any relevant authorization documents, as this is primarily a military installation with controlled access.
- Arrange ground transport before arrival since taxis and rideshare services are not consistently available at the airfield gate.
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport remains the primary option for most commercial flights to and from Lebanon.
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Passport, Visa & Immigration
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René Mouawad Airport, also known as Qlayaat Airport or Kleyate Airport, is a joint civil–military airport in the town of Qlayaat, Akkar District, Northern Lebanon, located approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the Lebanon–Syria border.
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