The activity at Rafic Hariri International Airport has decreased in October 2024 for the 10th consecutive month, as the Israeli-Hezbollah war in Lebanon escalated dramatically. Countries worldwide urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, while all airlines cancelled their flights to Lebanon due to safety concerns except for Middle East Airlines. This situation led to rising ticket prices, and difficulty securing seats for departures. Additionally, concerns about potential Israeli strikes on Beirut’s airport have further exacerbated the situation especially that few strikes were very close to the airport.
Passengers Activity (January – October 2024):
| Category | October-24 | Change (YoY) |
| Airport Passengers | 5,091,058 | -19.16% |
| Total Arrivals | 2,455,296 | -19.86% |
| Total Departures | 2,631,337 | -18.35% |
| Transit Passengers | 4,425 | -60.73% |
Passengers Activity (September – October 2024):
| Category | October -24 | Change (MoM) |
| Airport Passengers | 193,292 | -60.17% |
| Total Arrivals | 41,005 | -80.49% |
| Total Departures | 152,197 | -44.58% |
| Transit Passengers | 90 | -84.13% |
Interesting to note, the decrease in total departures from September 2024 to October 2024 can be explained mostly by the huge departure of foreign embassies staff and their citizens (not to mention Lebanese nationals) in late September at the time of the escalation of the war.
Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport Activity by October 2024:
Source: Rafic Hariri International Airport, BLOMINVEST
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