Number of Airport Passengers Down 13.04% Annually YTD by March 2026

The cumulative activity at Rafic Hariri International Airport declined by 13.04% year-on-year to 1,091,319 travelers in March 2026, reflecting deterioration in air traffic conditions compared to the previous year. Total arrivals reached 493,842, down by 27.22% year-on-year, while departures rose to 597,473, up by 3.72% year-on-year, highlighting relatively stronger outbound travel as many residents left the country amid the escalation of the conflict. Meanwhile, transit passengers reached 1,423, marking a notable increase compared to the previous year, albeit from a low base.

This overall decline comes as March 2026 was heavily impacted by the escalation of conflict following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hezbollah at the end of February, which disrupted travel flows and weighed on inbound activity.

Airport activity contracted sharply in March 2026, with total passengers falling to 139,143, down by 65.47% compared to March 2025. This drop was mainly driven by a steep decline in arrivals, which fell to 48,994, marking a 79.11% decrease, alongside a significant contraction in departures to 90,145, down by 46.44%. Transit passengers also decreased to 4, reflecting a sharp year-on-year drop of 90.91%, albeit from a low base.

On a monthly basis, total passengers declined by 65.99%, largely due to the severe disruption in air travel caused by the escalation of hostilities. The sharp fall in arrivals underscores the collapse in inbound travel amid heightened security risks, flight cancellations, and reduced connectivity, while the decline in departures reflects constrained mobility and travel uncertainty. Overall, March’s performance highlights the immediate and pronounced impact of the conflict on airport activity, with geopolitical tensions significantly weighing on both inbound and outbound travel.

Annual YTD Passengers Activity:

Monthly and YoY Passengers Activity:

Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport YTD Activity by March 2026:

_{Source: Rafic Hariri International Airport, BLOMINVEST}

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