Middle East Airlines

Corporate Profile: Middle East Airlines – Air Liban (MEA)

Established in 1945, Middle East Airlines (MEA) is one of the most resilient and storied carriers in the Arab world. Headquartered in Beirut, it is majority-owned by the Banque du Liban (the Central Bank of Lebanon). Despite regional challenges, MEA has maintained a reputation for high-quality service and operational excellence, serving as a vital link between Lebanon and the world from its hub at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY).

Strategic Vision and Growth (2026 Outlook)

• 80 Years of Resilience: In late 2025, MEA celebrated its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of continuous operations despite Lebanon’s complex geopolitical landscape.
• Fly Beirut (LCC Subsidiary): In a major strategic move announced during its 2025 anniversary conference, Chairman Mohamad El-Hout revealed plans to launch a low-cost subsidiary named “Fly Beirut” (expected to begin operations in 2027) to capture the budget-conscious traveler market.
• SkyTeam Alliance: As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance since 2012, MEA provides passengers with seamless global connectivity and benefits through its Cedar Miles loyalty program, integrated with partners like Air France-KLM and Delta.

Fleet Modernization and Performance

MEA maintains a modern, young, and standardized “all-Airbus” fleet to ensure maintenance efficiency and passenger comfort:

1. Airbus A321neo: The current backbone of the fleet. MEA made headlines as the first airline to take delivery of the 10,000th A320-family aircraft (an A321neo) in 2020.
2. Airbus A321XLR: In 2026, MEA continues to integrate the A321XLR (eXtra Long Range) into its network. These aircraft allow the airline to serve destinations deeper into Africa and Europe with the efficiency of a single-aisle jet.
3. Airbus A330-900 (neo): To modernize its wide-body capacity, MEA has orders for the A330neo, scheduled for delivery starting in late 2026, which will eventually replace the older A330-200 models on high-demand routes.
4. Cedar Executive: Through its private jet arm, MEA operates a fleet of Embraer Legacy 500 aircraft to serve the region’s elite and corporate travelers.

Network and Hub Operations

• Focus Markets: MEA maintains a robust network of approximately 33 destinations, with a primary focus on the GCC (Dubai, Riyadh, Doha), Europe (Paris, London, Geneva, Frankfurt), and West Africa (Lagos, Abidjan), where large Lebanese expatriate communities reside.
• Infrastructure Support: The airline is supported by specialized subsidiaries, including MASCO (Maintenance and Engineering) and MEAG (Ground Handling), which provide services to many international airlines operating at Beirut Airport.

Key Data