US Lifts Decades-Old Flight Restrictions Governing Direct Air Links With Lebanon

US President Donald Trump has revoked decades-old aviation restrictions governing flights between the United States and Lebanon. The presidential order, signed on September 30 and published in the Federal Register, overturned measures introduced across four presidential determinations issued in 1985, 1992, 1998, and 2007. Trump stated that the restrictions were no longer necessary to guarantee aircraft security.

The decision follows a July White House meeting between Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, during which Aoun requested the removal of the prohibitions. Aoun welcomed the revocation as a sign of confidence in Lebanon's civil aviation security measures, while Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Mouawad stated that it opens the path toward resuming direct flights.

The initial restrictions were imposed in 1985 by Ronald Reagan's administration following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. Although subsequent administrations in 1992, 1998, and 2007 eased certain cargo, stopover, and contract-carrier rules, direct commercial passenger flights remained blocked.

The order instructs the US Secretary of Transportation to implement the regulatory change immediately and repeal conflicting rules. However, authorities emphasized that the lifting of restrictions does not mean commercial flight operations will restart immediately.