Passenger Planes Arrive In Lebanon
Joseph S. Mayton - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Beirut, Lebanon (AHN) - Lebanon's only international airport is scheduled to receive two passenger planes Thursday. This will mark the first time a passenger aircraft has arrived since Israel bombed Beirut's international airport July 13. AFP reported that Lebanese national carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) will land from Amman early in the afternoon. Less than half an hour later, a Royal Jordanian flight is expected to arrive. MEA told AFP that the first flight back to the capital would be free of charge to passengers. It is unclear if the carrier was given permission from the Israeli military, who maintains a blockade of the country, virtually cutting Lebanon off from the outside world. Israeli missiles struck the airport, located in the southern area just outside Beirut, in July, creating extensive damage to the runways. Israel also damaged a hangar and fuel tanks in the attack. MEA evacuated almost all its planes to Cyprus, Jordan and Syria following the Israeli offensive. Lebanese Transport Minister Mohamed Safadi said the airport could be partially reopened within the coming week but will take at least two months to be running at full capacity.
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