Trump announces return of direct US flights to Lebanon after 40-year halt

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will allow direct commercial flights to Lebanon for the first time in more than 40 years, describing the move as a sign of confidence in the country's progress under President Joseph Aoun.

The announcement came after Trump hosted Aoun at the White House on July 21, where the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional security.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised his Lebanese counterpart, saying Aoun had done a "remarkable job" transforming the country.

"I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land. Hopefully, other Countries will do the same," Trump wrote.

Direct commercial flights between the United States and Lebanon have been suspended since 1985, when the Reagan administration halted service following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. The aircraft was seized after departing Athens and forced to Beirut, where passengers were held hostage for more than two weeks. US Navy diver Robert Stethem was killed during the ordeal, prompting Washington to impose restrictions on direct air travel.

Despite Trump's announcement, direct flights are unlikely to resume immediately. Lebanon remains under the US State Department's Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory, and airlines would still need to assess passenger demand, security conditions, insurance costs and operational risks before launching routes.

International relations scholar Karim Emile Bitar welcomed the announcement but urged restraint, writing on X that it was "welcome news" and "symbolically important," though "caution is warranted." He noted that similar efforts under the Bill Clinton and Barack Obama administrations failed to restore direct flights, adding that "optics may be outrunning reality."

The announcement coincided with Aoun's visit to Washington, which was aimed at strengthening US-Lebanon relations after years of political and economic instability. During an Oval Office briefing, Trump also addressed tensions with Iran.

"I will tell you, they want to desperately meet. And until they’re ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest in meeting," he told reporters.

Analysts say a restored direct air link could be supported by the sizeable Lebanese-American community, estimated at between 686,000 and more than one million people, many of whom regularly travel to Lebanon to visit family. However, the resumption of services will ultimately depend on whether US airlines consider the routes commercially viable and safe to operate.

By Aghakazim Guliyev