Amid bombs and smoke in Lebanon, a daring airline keeps taking off

After narrowly escaping Israeli airstrikes, Lebanese mother Tanaz Agha shared a striking photo from her plane window as she fled Beirut, a city under siege. "Proud to be a Lebanese who can travel on my national airline in a time of war."

As Israel intensified airstrikes against Hezbollah two weeks ago, most international airlines suspended flights to Lebanon. However, Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s national carrier, stood firm, becoming the only airline still operating in and out of Beirut despite the growing risks and past attacks on the city's runways.

Agha and her daughters, aged 11 and 13, were heading to Beirut’s airport when an Israeli airstrike hit the southern suburbs on September 27, killing Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The experience left Agha deeply shaken.

"It was an extremely horrifying experience," she said. She had anticipated chaos at the airport but instead found the atmosphere surprisingly calm. Airport employees, many with families in the affected areas, comforted her as she broke down in tears.

"Most of the staff have family in those areas. You could hear them receiving calls. Their eyes were filled with tears," she recalled.

As her plane took off for Cyprus, Agha snapped a picture of the Lebanese cedar emblem on the airplane's winglet, posting it on social media with admiration for the airline and its staff. "That same airplane will bring the same crew back into a war zone in a few hours," she wrote. "What a nation, what a people, what an airline."

Agha’s tribute reflects a growing sentiment among many Lebanese, who see MEA as a symbol of national resilience. One social media user recently wrote, "MEA is the most badass airline on the planet."

The escalating conflict has resulted in over 1,100 deaths, wounded more than 3,800, and displaced over one million people, according to official figures.

Despite the mounting dangers, MEA continues its operations, with live footage showing aircraft landing and taking off amid Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs.

Images shared online even show the aftermath of Israeli strikes from a plane window, highlighting the tense situation. On a recent flight into Beirut, passengers repeatedly asked the cabin crew for reassurance about their safety, according to an AFP journalist on board.

In response to the growing risks, the Lebanese government has stepped in, announcing last week that it would cover the cost of insurance for MEA flights, ensuring that the airline can continue its vital service.

The U.S. government also issued a warning to Israel on Monday, urging it not to target Beirut’s airport or the roads leading to it.

Transport minister Ali Hamieh confirmed that Lebanon had received “assurances” from Israel that Beirut’s only international airport would not be targeted, although these assurances fall short of a full guarantee.

MEA’s history of perseverance

MEA's resilience in the face of conflict is not new. Since the start of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah last year, after the outbreak of war in Gaza, the airline has taken precautionary measures, parking some of its planes in Cyprus and Turkey for safety.

MEA's planes and runways have been targets in previous conflicts.

During the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli strikes knocked the airport out of service, damaging runways and fuel tanks. In 1968, Israel destroyed 14 civilian planes at Beirut airport in retaliation for a Palestinian attack on an Israeli aircraft, in which hostages were taken.

According to Israeli media, Israel's current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was among those involved in that raid.

In the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, Israeli forces attempted to seize control of the airport, engaging in fierce clashes with Palestinian militants in the surrounding area.

Retired MEA captain Elie al-Rasi, now 68, vividly remembers operating under even more perilous conditions during Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war.

"The airport was repeatedly targeted," he said, recalling how MEA would fly planes out of the country to safety. "Sometimes, I had to cross checkpoints on foot just to get to work."

Despite these challenges, Rasi emphasized that MEA’s commitment to serving the Lebanese people has never wavered.

"No crew can say 'We don’t want to fly' because MEA is the national carrier. It has to serve the Lebanese, just like a doctor must treat the wounded during war," he said. "It’s a commitment."

Commitment amid Crisis

As MEA continues to operate under the threat of airstrikes, its flights remain a lifeline for many Lebanese.

The airline’s perseverance has come to symbolize the nation's determination to stay connected to the outside world, even in the most challenging circumstances.

While the situation remains uncertain, the Lebanese people and MEA's staff continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience. As the conflict rages on, MEA not only keeps flying but stands as a testament to the country's enduring spirit.