This page compiles publicly available airspace and route information. It does not constitute operational advice. Passengers should consult their airline; operators should refer to official NOTAMs, EASA SIBs, and FAA advisories for current data.
Flying to Beirut: Route & Airspace Information
Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY / OLBA) · Last reviewed: April 2026
Airport Overview
Rafic Hariri International Airport (IATA: BEY, ICAO: OLBA) is Lebanon's sole commercial airport, situated approximately 9 km south of central Beirut on the Mediterranean coast. The airport sits within the Beirut FIR (OLBA), managed by Lebanese civil aviation authorities.
BEY has a single primary runway (16/34, 3,395 m) and handles both domestic positioning flights and international traffic. Middle East Airlines (MEA), the national carrier, maintains its hub at BEY. According to published schedules, several European and regional carriers also operate services, though frequency has varied considerably during periods of regional instability.
The airport's coastal location, flanked by mountainous terrain to the east (Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges reaching above 3,000 m), makes approach procedures terrain-sensitive. Approaches from the sea side are standard, though published holding patterns require awareness of the elevation profile.
Common Routes & FIRs Crossed
Flights from Europe to Beirut typically cross several FIRs depending on the routing. Common paths include:
Northern European origins: Overfly Balkan FIRs (LDZO, LGGG) then into Nicosia FIR (LCCC) before entering OLBA. Some carriers route via Turkey (LTAA Ankara FIR).
Gulf origins: Typically transit ORBB (Baghdad FIR) or OJAC (Amman FIR) before entering OLBA from the east.
North African origins: Cross HLLL (Tripoli FIR) or the LCCC (Nicosia FIR) corridor over the eastern Mediterranean.
According to Eurocontrol route data, some operators have adjusted flight paths to increase separation from neighboring FIRs that have experienced conflict-related restrictions. These adjustments have, in some cases, added flight time and fuel requirements.
Airspace Conditions
EASA has issued Safety Information Bulletins (SIBs) noting GPS signal unreliability in the OLBA FIR. According to these SIBs and pilot reports collected by IATA, GPS-based navigation has been unreliable in the eastern Mediterranean region, with reported position errors ranging from tens to hundreds of nautical miles. The source of interference is attributed to regional electronic warfare activity.
As a result, according to published operational data, ILS approaches have become the primary method at BEY. Operators relying on RNAV/RNP procedures face documented challenges. EASA SIBs note that GPWS false alerts have been reported in the region due to spoofed position data.
The OLBA FIR has experienced periodic closures during regional escalations, according to published NOTAMs. Closure durations have ranged from hours to multiple days. Airlines operating to Beirut typically file alternate airports including Larnaca (LCLK), Amman (OJAI), and Cairo (HECA).
According to ICAO documentation, the mountainous terrain surrounding Beirut compounds the operational impact of navigation system unreliability, as precision approaches become particularly important in the local geography.
What to Check Before Booking
Current NOTAMs for the OLBA FIR, available through national AIS portals
EASA Conflict Zone Information Bulletins for Lebanon and the eastern Mediterranean
Airline rebooking and cancellation policies applicable to BEY routes
Travel insurance coverage terms for the region
FAA advisory status for US-registered carriers serving Lebanon
Related
FlySafe compiles publicly available airspace, route, and airport data for informational purposes only. This page does not constitute flight safety advice, risk assessment, or an operational recommendation.
Airline operators must consult official NOTAMs, EASA SIBs, FAA advisories, and their own risk assessment processes. Passengers should contact their airline for current service status. Data sources include ICAO, EASA, FAA, Eurocontrol, and published airline schedules.