NNA - Under the patronage and in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, and attended by Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport today held the foundation stone-laying ceremony and officially launched the implementation phase of the René Mouawad Airport – Kleyat Development and Operation Project, marking the commencement of construction and operational works for the project, which will be developed and operated by Sky Lounge Services following its successful bid in the public tender launched by the Ministry in accordance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Law.
The event represents a pivotal milestone in the process of reactivating the airport following the completion of the necessary technical, legal, and administrative requirements, paving the way for its reintegration into Lebanon’s air transport network and reinforcing its role as a national asset supporting growth and development.
The ceremony was attended by a number of ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors, representatives of economic bodies, international institutions, and stakeholders from the transport and aviation sectors, in addition to official, military, administrative, and economic figures.
The event began with the reception of guests, followed by the landing of an aircraft at the airport in a symbolic gesture reflecting the return of air traffic to this national facility. Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, and Mr. Ziad Monla then entered the venue. Following the Lebanese National Anthem, a documentary film outlining the project’s development and various stages was screened before the official speeches commenced.
Address by Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam
"Distinguished Guests,
Today, we gather in Akkar, at the René Mouawad Airport, in a moment that carries more than one meaning.
We gather in the north of the country, yet our eyes and hearts remain equally fixed on the south.
My first message to you is that just as your State does not abandon its duty to uphold Lebanon’s right to its land, sovereignty, and the security of its citizens, it also does not neglect its responsibility for development, economic recovery, and social justice.
From Akkar, from this fertile land, and among its generous people, I extend a salute of respect and appreciation to every village, town, and city in the south, and I say to its people: your suffering is our collective suffering.
Just as there can be no lasting stability in Lebanon while the south remains under threat, the country cannot recover if Akkar remains neglected and the Bekaa deprived.
Distinguished Guests,
We are not gathered merely beside a runway, a civilian aircraft, and a new passenger terminal project.
Rather, we are here in the presence of a political, developmental, and national decision of the highest order: that Akkar shall no longer remain outside the State’s development priorities.
Despite all that it has contributed to the nation, particularly through the service and sacrifice of thousands of its sons and daughters in the armed forces, Akkar has, for decades, suffered from deprivation, marginalization, and inadequate investment in infrastructure, services, and employment opportunities. This is not rhetoric; it is a reality confirmed by the figures.
Akkar Governorate recorded the highest poverty rate among Lebanon’s governorates, reaching 62 percent, compared with a national average of 33 percent.
It also recorded the lowest participation rate in economic activity and the labor market, at no more than 35 percent, compared with 43 percent nationally.
Indicators further show that approximately one-quarter of the governorate’s population is unemployed.
More importantly, behind these figures lie the stories of families and young men and women in towns and villages that have waited a long time for development to reach them, not as seasonal promises, but as public policies and concrete projects.
Accordingly, the launch of the rehabilitation and operation of René Mouawad Airport in Kleyat is not merely an investment project. It is a step at the heart of balanced development, regional equity, and the State’s responsibility toward its citizens.
Distinguished Guests,
When our government appeared before Parliament, we stated clearly in our ministerial policy statement that we would work to operationalize René Mouawad Airport in Kleyat because of its developmental importance.
This was not a marginal phrase in a document. It was a commitment to the Lebanese people.
Today, we are here to say that this commitment is beginning to become reality.
More importantly, our commitment to the development of the North and Akkar was part of an integrated vision extending beyond the operation of René Mouawad Airport. It rests on four strategic pillars, including the activation of the Tripoli Special Economic Zone, completion of the Rashid Karami International Fair project, and the development of the Port of Tripoli.
As you know, we have made tangible progress on all these fronts.
In March of last year, we came to this airport. We landed on its runway aboard a Lebanese Army helicopter, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reopening it for civilian purposes, and signed an agreement with Dar Al-Handasah to prepare a master plan and preliminary feasibility study, which the firm generously provided free of charge.
Thereafter, despite successive crises and a heavy agenda, we continued work on the legal and administrative aspects. Tender documents were prepared. The public tender was launched in accordance with due process. The most competitive bidder was awarded the project.
Today, we have arrived in Kleyat aboard a commercial aircraft to lay the foundation stone for this undertaking, sending a clear message that this airport is no longer a postponed idea but a project that is becoming a reality.
Our objective is for the operation of this airport to open new opportunities for Akkar and the North in employment, services, transport, cargo, trade, and tourism.
Of course, this airport is not a substitute for Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport. Lebanon requires a modern and integrated aviation infrastructure, just as it requires connecting its regions to the national economic cycle.
God willing, flights from this airport will soon commence, ensuring that Akkar is no longer a region on the margins of the nation, but an active economic center and one of Lebanon’s gateways to sisterly Syria, its Arab surroundings, and indeed the wider world.
Distinguished Guests,
Kleyat Airport carries symbolism that extends beyond development and investment.
This place is not merely a facility we are rehabilitating.
It is part of Lebanon’s political and constitutional memory.
Following the conclusion of the Taif meetings and the return of Members of Parliament from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Lebanese Parliament convened here, at Kleyat Airport, on 5 November 1989. Here, the National Accord Document, known as the Taif Agreement, was formally adopted in its constitutional form. Here, René Mouawad was elected President of the Republic before being assassinated only days later as he sought to guide Lebanon from war to civil peace. It is for this reason that the airport bears his name.
Reviving René Mouawad Airport is therefore not merely the reopening of a public facility.
It is also the restoration of the meaning of the State.
It is a revival of the spirit of Taif—not as a static document, but as a political project that remains unfinished.
The Taif Agreement affirmed that balanced cultural, social, and economic development is a fundamental pillar of national unity and institutional stability.
That is precisely what we are working to achieve today.
We are transforming balanced development from a constitutional principle into an active undertaking, and from a deferred promise into a project under implementation.
Yet completing the Taif Agreement requires more than development alone.
Nor can it be achieved solely through expanded administrative decentralization and the other reforms whose implementation has long been delayed.
The full implementation of Taif also requires that the State extend its authority across all Lebanese territory through its own institutions, exactly as stipulated in the Agreement; that the decisions of war and peace be exclusively vested in the State; that Israel withdraw from all Lebanese territory; that security and stability return to the south; and that reconstruction proceed.
The path of Taif is the path of a sovereign State that protects and guarantees the rights of all Lebanese.
It is the path of reform.
It is the path of balanced development.
And it is the path to which we committed ourselves in our ministerial statement, and from which we shall not retreat.
Distinguished Guests,
Allow me, in conclusion, to thank everyone who contributed to making the reopening of this airport possible, particularly the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Lebanese Army, the Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, all relevant oversight, administrative and security agencies, and Dar Al-Handasah.
I also extend a special tribute to the people of Akkar, who waited patiently for many years and steadfastly upheld their right to development, justice, and dignity, culminating today in the restoration of life to René Mouawad Airport.
One final word: from Kleyat, where a defining political chapter in the history of the Republic began decades ago, we launch a new message today: no region shall remain forgotten, and no development shall remain deferred. One State, equal opportunities, and one future for all Lebanese.
Congratulations to Akkar.
Congratulations to the North.
Congratulations to Lebanon."
Address by Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny
In his remarks during the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the René Mouawad Airport – Kleyat Development and Operation Project, Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny affirmed that the project has moved from the stage of promises and anticipation to that of tangible implementation.
He stressed that the airport is a national project that belongs to all Lebanese, not only to Akkar and the North, and reflects the State’s ability to transform long-delayed initiatives into concrete achievements when supported by determination and serious work.
Rasamny noted that the Ministry had overcome numerous administrative, financial, and technical challenges in recent months to launch the project, driven by a firm conviction that development is a right, not a privilege. He reiterated that the objective is to bring the airport into operation within the coming weeks, opening a new chapter for air transport in Lebanon.
He revealed that the first phase of operations aims to launch flights to Mersin, Istanbul, and Dubai, while studying the addition of new destinations including Medina, Cairo, and Athens. At the same time, efforts are underway to attract low-cost carriers such as AJet, Pegasus, and Air Arabia to expand the route network and strengthen air connectivity between Kleyat and regional and international markets.
The Minister also announced that the Ministry is exploring operational partnerships with European airlines, including Ryanair through Paphos, Cyprus, and Aegean through Athens, enabling Lebanese travelers to access dozens of European destinations at lower cost and with broader options.
To facilitate access to the airport, Rasamny explained that the Ministry is working to connect Kleyat Airport to Lebanon’s public transport network through affordable transport services linking Beirut and the airport, making this strategic facility accessible to all segments of society.
He further noted that the Ministry is implementing, in parallel, a project to rehabilitate the vital road linking the Abdeh–Arida International Highway to the airport entrance over a distance of approximately four kilometers as part of a comprehensive plan to enhance the readiness of surrounding infrastructure.
Rasamny emphasized that the Ministry’s vision extends beyond operating a new airport. It seeks to transform Kleyat into an integrated economic and logistics platform through the development of air cargo activities, the establishment of a dedicated Cargo Village, and the study of connectivity between Kleyat Airport and the Port of Tripoli, thereby strengthening the integration of transport and logistics systems and opening new horizons for investment and development in Northern Lebanon.
He stressed that the project’s primary objective is to create new economic and developmental opportunities, facilitate the movement of Lebanese citizens, expatriates, and investors, and reinforce confidence in the State’s capacity to plan, implement, and complete strategic projects.
During his remarks, the Minister thanked President General Joseph Aoun for his support and belief in the project, and Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam for his close follow-up throughout all stages of the project and his determination to overcome obstacles and accelerate implementation. He also expressed appreciation to the Lebanese Army Command and the military institution for their essential role in advancing the initiative, in addition to all parties that contributed to reaching this stage.
Rasamny concluded by affirming that laying the foundation stone for Kleyat Airport represents not only the launch of an infrastructure project, but also the beginning of a new phase of development, recovery, and restored confidence. He described the project as opening a new chapter in Lebanon’s economic and developmental journey and demonstrating the Lebanese State’s ability to deliver despite challenges.
Address by Mr. Ziad Monla, Chairman of MG Holding and Sky Lounge Services
For his part, Mr. Ziad Monla, Chairman of Sky Lounge Services, expressed his gratitude to the Lebanese State and its institutions, commending their role in supporting and advancing this national project.
He reviewed the project’s implementation phases, which include the gradual development of infrastructure, the launch of international flights to key destinations, the establishment of a Cargo Village and logistics ecosystem, and the enhancement of runways, navigation systems, and technical equipment, thereby positioning the airport for future expansion and the attraction of both international and low-cost airlines.
Addressing the people of Akkar, he stated:
"The success of this airport does not depend on us alone. It depends on your cooperation, support, and embrace of this project. You are essential partners in its success, sustainability, and future growth."
He noted that the project is based on technical, operational, and financial studies prepared in cooperation with international experts, ensuring its economic viability and long-term sustainability. He also highlighted the company’s experience since 2008 in operating and managing civil aviation services, private aviation, and ground handling operations at Beirut Airport.
Following the speeches, Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, Minister Fayez Rasamny, and Mr. Ziad Monla unveiled the foundation stone, officially marking the commencement of implementation works, before posing for the official commemorative photograph and concluding the ceremony.
René Mouawad Airport – Kleyat Development and Operation Project is considered one of Lebanon’s most significant national transport infrastructure projects, providing additional operational capacity that enhances the resilience of the Lebanese civil aviation sector and strengthens its preparedness for future growth in air traffic.
The project is also expected to provide additional options for airlines and passengers, support the continuity of air services, and enhance the efficiency of the national transport network.
From a developmental perspective, the project is anticipated to serve as an economic catalyst for Akkar and Northern Lebanon through attracting investment, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities, and stimulating commercial, tourism, and logistics activities, thereby strengthening the region’s position within the national economy.
In parallel with the airport’s development, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport continues to implement the rehabilitation of the vital road linking the Abdeh–Arida International Highway to the airport entrance, as one of the key components of the facility’s operational readiness.
The project includes the rehabilitation of approximately four kilometers of roadway from the highway junction to the airport itself, including the main entrance and surrounding access areas.
The launch of the implementation phase crowns a comprehensive preparatory process that included the preparation of the master plan, technical and economic studies, completion of legal and regulatory requirements, and the public tender process that ultimately resulted in the award of the project to Sky Lounge Services following the completion of all procedures in accordance with applicable legal standards.
Sky Lounge Services is a Lebanese aviation services company specializing in aviation-related operations and services. The company has operated at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport since 2008 and has accumulated extensive operational expertise in private aviation, ground handling, aircraft management, charter operations, and passenger services.
The company is part of MG Holding, a regional group with more than seventy years of presence in Lebanon, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The group maintains a diversified portfolio of companies operating in aviation, logistics, infrastructure, technology, and healthcare services and employs more than one thousand professionals and specialists.
In parallel with efforts to ensure the success of the project and strengthen integration among the various components of the transport sector, the Railway and Public Transport Authority, headed by Mr. Ziad Chea, supported the logistical arrangements for the event by providing transportation for a number of Members of Parliament and media representatives from Beirut to Kleyat Airport using the modern electric buses recently launched under the public transport project. This enabled participants to attend the event and travel to and from the venue efficiently.
This initiative forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop sustainable public transport services and strengthen connectivity among Lebanon’s various transport facilities and networks.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport reaffirms its commitment to overseeing the implementation of the project in accordance with the highest standards of efficiency, transparency, and good governance, ensuring the proper management of the facility, safeguarding the national interest, and advancing the development of transport infrastructure and strategic projects that support growth and sustainable development across Lebanon.
