There have been talks since 2012 about the renovation and restoration of René Moawad Airport, but these efforts never materialized due to political reasons until last week when newly appointed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam promised to restore the airport. In addition, Fayez Rasamny, Minister of Public Works, emphasized the need for a second airport in Lebanon.

That being said, and if the minister of Public Minister signs the decree to move forward with opening a second airport, the Rene Moawad airport can be operational within a year, according to the head of the Public Works & Transport Committee. There are no legal obstacles or impediments to proceed with the restoration works and the airport is already 70% ready.

For those wondering why it’s called René Moawad Airport, it is named after René Moawad, who was elected as President of the Republic during a historic parliamentary session held at the airport in 1989. The airport was renamed in his honor after he was assassinated on November 22 of the same year.

Opening the Qoleiat airpot represents an opportunity to stimulate the economy and increase national income by about 500 million dollars, as well as provide about 5,000 jobs.