UN aviation report stalls Trump's plan for direct US flights to Beirut

Background

Donald Trump signed an order last month allowing direct flights from the US to Lebanon, ending a suspension in place since the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985.

What the report found

• Conditional certification expired
• No emergency plan
• Firefighting gear only for single-aisle jets
• Too few qualified inspectors

A report by the International Civil Aviation Organization found that Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport lacks valid certification, according to a summary seen by reporters.

"Most of the issues highlighted in the report had already been identified," said Lebanon's transport minister, Fayez Rasamny, adding that war had delayed progress.

— Fayez Rasamny, Lebanon's transport minister

Lebanon's aviation authority expects to issue a conditional certification in the coming days, but US airline officials do not expect American carriers to fly there soon, citing security.