President Donald Trump directed the U.S. government to allow all domestic airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon on July 21, 2026, following the TWA Flight 847 hijacking in 1985. The move follows a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, though security reviews of Beirut’s airport remain pending.
The decision to allow direct commercial flights to Lebanon comes after restrictions tied to the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847, which was forced to land in Beirut and resulted in the death of a U.S. Navy diver. Trump announced the policy shift during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, stating the U.S. government would now allow all domestic airlines to operate direct routes to the country.
A Policy Shift After Decades of Restrictions
The suspension of U.S. flights to Lebanon was imposed in 1985 after the TWA Flight 847 incident, which involved a 17-day ordeal that ended with the killing of a U.S. Navy diver. The FAA said it looks forward to working with airlines and our interagency partners to implement the President’s directive and support the safe return of flights to Lebanon.
Reuters reported that U.S. officials must first conduct an extensive security review of Beirut’s airport and certify its safety before flights can resume. The State Department’s current “Do Not Travel” advisory for Lebanon, citing high tensions in the Middle East, remains in effect. This advisory was reinforced in February when the government ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members to leave the country due to safety risks.
White House Meeting With Lebanese Leadership
The announcement followed a White House meeting between Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on July 21, 2026.
The meeting also touched on broader regional security concerns. However, the exact timeline for the security review of Beirut’s airport remains unclear.
Implications for U.S. Airlines and Regional Travel
The policy change could have implications for major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines (AAL.O), United Airlines (UAL.O), and Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), which have halted flights to nearby Tel Aviv, citing security concerns. The FAA stated it would work with airlines and our interagency partners to implement the President’s directive.
Trump ordered the U.S. Transportation Department to lift a ban on U.S. passenger air service to Venezuela in January after the U.S. captured the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, in a military operation that month. Service resumed in late April after seven years, with an American Airlines flight from Miami to Caracas.
Uncertainties and Ongoing Security Concerns
Despite the policy shift, uncertainties persist. The State Department’s “Do Not Travel” advisory for Lebanon remains in effect, and it was unclear if U.S. airlines would be willing to resume flights. Additionally, the security review of Beirut’s airport could delay the resumption of flights.
The White House has not addressed how the Lebanon policy fits into broader geopolitical dynamics.
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