Lebanon will keep its airspace open, minister says

Fayez Rasamny says the MEA will respond to delays with additional flights

Smoke rises, following an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for the area, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon, Jun 5, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Lebanon will aim to keep its airspace open, a minister said on Saturday, hours after officials said the airspace would be shut down in the evening amid Iran-Israel conflict.

"The airport will remain open unless something emerges beyond our control," Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny said while touring in Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.

The Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanese national carrier, will increase its flights to compensate the delayed flights, Rasamny said.

Earlier, state news agency NNA cited the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority as saying the country would temporarily reopen its airspace on Saturday at 10:00am (0700 GMT), and it would be shut down again from 10:30pm till 6:00am on Sunday.