Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)

BEY in 20 seconds

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (IATA: BEY, ICAO: OLBA) serves Beirut, LB. It has 114 scheduled routes to 73 destinations in 40 countries, operated by 42 airlines.

Mixed

What travelers love

Modernity and Cleanliness: Several travelers have described the airport as modern, beautiful, tidy, and clean.
Food and Retail Options: The airport offers a variety of food and beverage choices, including local and international cuisine, and a wide selection of duty-free shops.
Lounge Facilities: There are airport lounges available, which some travelers find enjoyable.
Helpful Staff (in some instances): Some reviews commend staff for being kind and assisting with luggage.

Common complaints

Excessive Wait Times and Congestion: Long queues and chaotic crowd management are frequently reported, especially at security and immigration checkpoints, leading to significant delays and degrading the customer experience. Arrivals in July 2025, for example, saw long queues at General Security counters with wait times dragging on. Travelers are advised to arrive a minimum of three hours before departure due to these delays.
Rude or Unhelpful Staff: Many travelers, particularly in recent reviews from July 2025, have reported rude and disrespectful official staff, especially at passport control and customs.
Inadequate Public Transportation: A notable weakness of the airport is the lack of efficient public transport links to and from the city.
Challenges with Ride-Sharing Services: While Uber and Bolt operate, airport security sometimes prevents these cars from entering the airport for pickups, which can result in cancellations or longer waits for passengers.
Aging Infrastructure and Capacity Issues: The airport, originally designed for six million annual passengers, is operating at full capacity, and its aging facilities require maintenance, rehabilitation, and a comprehensive overhaul.
Safety Concerns: An August 2023 pre-audit by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) identified "systemic deficiencies" and inadequate safety measures, particularly concerning air navigation services and air traffic control.

Bottom line: Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport presents a polarizing experience for travelers. While it boasts some modern amenities and a range of shopping and dining, the persistent issues with long queues, staff conduct, and infrastructure limitations, particularly during peak seasons, significantly impact traveler satisfaction.

AirportRoutes · updated Mar 1, 2026

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New & changed departures

10 changes to BEY's schedule in the last 90 days.

+10 net routes in 12 months

Air Moroco begins BEY → Casablanca — flying 2 days a week. New route

First seen Jun 23, 2026 · detected Jun 29

Middle East Airlines begins BEY → Barcelona — flying 3 days a week on the Airbus A320. New route

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · detected Jun 29

Middle East Airlines begins BEY → Abidjan — flying 6 days a week on the Airbus A330-200. New route

First seen Jun 20, 2026 · detected Jun 22

Turkish Airlines begins BEY → Hyderabad on the Boeing 777-200. New route

First seen Jun 21, 2026 · detected Jun 22

Middle East Airlines begins BEY → Segrate (MI) — flying 4 days a week. New route

First seen Jun 20, 2026 · detected Jun 22

Middle East Airlines begins BEY → London with daily flights. New route