![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G65TEZRHFRUPRZNRPSKCF4QJDE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ca20f145ef0b3f278089fffe23e06c7a2efb421532f09589e342a2f9dc6a74ec&width=400&height=225)
Passengers head towards departures at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport in March 2020, having gone through sanitising procedures to limit the spread of Covid-19. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IJOFBJTAUXVK3SRF5TNKCGTZCA.jpg?smart=true&auth=702ab406b5dcd0dae5a07c48819bb5c0cf3da1400e5ce681d170a3383a0f7c65&width=400&height=225)
Travellers check flight screens for delays and cancellations at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, in November 2015. Russian military activity in the Mediterranean during its intervention in Syria forced Lebanon to reroute flights. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YVCWLAKQARE4H3MGAG72LBIZVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4140e681775892b6cdf859095559b0ff9e23712fe5ed7d189b8ff6553bc49734&width=400&height=225)
A view of Beirut seen from the tarmac of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport in 2010. The airport is about nine kilometres from the centre of the Lebanese capital. Lee Hoagland / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ORXM7FUREV4WZZXUGMAPTL6RSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=18c067cfc5e046aeb3b6330752a680ca5a52a57832b77937881295702db17986&width=400&height=225)
A Middle East Airlines passenger aircraft prepares for take off from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QQKJWBJ7AGWBK2GIXNRXZVUNFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=071b6851f2a5c53f2dc81b8301bfea0f1c26603f8a62e520e649e3cc79b39f9c&width=400&height=225)
Aircraft from Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national carrier, are among those parked at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. The airport is MEA's hub. Courtesy Lebanese Plane Spotters / Facebook
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZCWKJZ5NQYWTLX6WZM5GQLTA2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=31bd3a7875e56d356ad8f40ab3349da52b14b75313fc2c9b733708bca8704e05&width=400&height=225)
In June 2019 the airport unveiled renovated and expanded departures and arrivals terminals, including upgraded security, improved baggage handling and fast-track boarding. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G65TEZRHFRUPRZNRPSKCF4QJDE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ca20f145ef0b3f278089fffe23e06c7a2efb421532f09589e342a2f9dc6a74ec&width=400&height=225)
Passengers head towards departures at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport in March 2020, having gone through sanitising procedures to limit the spread of Covid-19. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IJOFBJTAUXVK3SRF5TNKCGTZCA.jpg?smart=true&auth=702ab406b5dcd0dae5a07c48819bb5c0cf3da1400e5ce681d170a3383a0f7c65&width=400&height=225)
Travellers check flight screens for delays and cancellations at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, in November 2015. Russian military activity in the Mediterranean during its intervention in Syria forced Lebanon to reroute flights. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YVCWLAKQARE4H3MGAG72LBIZVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4140e681775892b6cdf859095559b0ff9e23712fe5ed7d189b8ff6553bc49734&width=400&height=225)
A view of Beirut seen from the tarmac of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport in 2010. The airport is about nine kilometres from the centre of the Lebanese capital. Lee Hoagland / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ORXM7FUREV4WZZXUGMAPTL6RSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=18c067cfc5e046aeb3b6330752a680ca5a52a57832b77937881295702db17986&width=400&height=225)
A Middle East Airlines passenger aircraft prepares for take off from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QQKJWBJ7AGWBK2GIXNRXZVUNFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=071b6851f2a5c53f2dc81b8301bfea0f1c26603f8a62e520e649e3cc79b39f9c&width=400&height=225)
Aircraft from Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national carrier, are among those parked at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. The airport is MEA's hub. Courtesy Lebanese Plane Spotters / Facebook
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZCWKJZ5NQYWTLX6WZM5GQLTA2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=31bd3a7875e56d356ad8f40ab3349da52b14b75313fc2c9b733708bca8704e05&width=400&height=225)
In June 2019 the airport unveiled renovated and expanded departures and arrivals terminals, including upgraded security, improved baggage handling and fast-track boarding. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G65TEZRHFRUPRZNRPSKCF4QJDE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ca20f145ef0b3f278089fffe23e06c7a2efb421532f09589e342a2f9dc6a74ec&width=400&height=225)
Passengers head towards departures at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport in March 2020, having gone through sanitising procedures to limit the spread of Covid-19. AFP
Lebanon's million-dollar airport terminal deal in the hot seat: why the controversy?
The decision to award a $122 million deal without a competitive tender has triggered public outrage
![Nada Maucourant Atallah](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F2e45101c-2c33-4fe0-9d5d-0de8cd5f8f7f.png?smart=true&auth=b95a4bffec16822467a7d72b5ae4f2f0a0213d94f2961bc30dbd72ea88050933&width=70&height=70)
Nada Maucourant Atallah
28 March, 2023
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