FBOs at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International OLBA BEY

Airport security

Beirut and the surrounding region operate under a U.S. Department of State Level 4 – Do Not Travel advisory, with concurrent FCDO guidance advising against all but essential travel to Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorate.

The security environment is characterized by active civil unrest, elevated terrorism risk, kidnapping risk, and ongoing armed conflict in multiple governorates, with airstrikes, rocket attacks, and drone activity reported across the country.

Street crime is rising in the context of severe economic deterioration, and armed non-state actors operate with weapons beyond state control, creating conditions that can deteriorate rapidly and without warning.

Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's primary international commercial hub, operating under a security framework led by the Lebanese Armed Forces through a dedicated Airport Security Apparatus mandated under the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, with civil aviation oversight provided by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Published documentation describes a multi-layer screening process requiring passengers to pass an initial security check prior to terminal entry, a main carry-on screening post check-in, passport control at Lebanese Exit Immigration, and in many cases an additional gate-level search of hand luggage before boarding.

No formal ICAO or ECAC security classification tier for this facility has been identified in authoritative published sources.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

Hours: H24 Customs, immigration, and visa-on-arrival services confirmed available 24/7 per Lebanon AIP (olba.aero). Operations ongoing despite reduced overall flight schedule.

Ground corridor

AVOID ADVISORY IN EFFECT: All major governments — including the US State Department (Level 4 Do Not Travel), FCDO, and DFAT — advise against travel to Lebanon and urge those in-country to depart while commercial flights remain available.

Ground transport in Beirut carries a compound risk profile combining active armed conflict, civil unrest, terrorism, kidnapping, and opportunistic crime linked to economic collapse — this is not a standard elevated-crime environment.

The airport road passes through the southern suburbs of Beirut (Dahieh), an area subject to ongoing airstrikes and designated 'all travel' avoid by FCDO; this corridor may close without warning and route integrity cannot be guaranteed.

Independent taxis hailed at the airport or on the street are not recommended; pre-arranged vetted transport with a professional driver and confirmed routing is strongly advised, and movement should only be undertaken with a confirmed departure flight in hand.

GPS navigation may be degraded due to active GNSS spoofing and jamming reported across the Beirut FIR.

City threat summary

Beirut and the surrounding region operate under a U.S. Department of State Level 4 – Do Not Travel advisory, with concurrent FCDO guidance advising against all but essential travel to Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorate.

The security environment is characterized by active civil unrest, elevated terrorism risk, kidnapping risk, and ongoing armed conflict in multiple governorates, with airstrikes, rocket attacks, and drone activity reported across the country.

Street crime is rising in the context of severe economic deterioration, and armed non-state actors operate with weapons beyond state control, creating conditions that can deteriorate rapidly and without warning.

Country overview

Lebanon remains one of the highest-risk environments globally, with active armed conflict ongoing along the southern border with Israel, multiple governments maintaining their highest-tier 'Do Not Travel' advisories, and the U.S. Embassy having ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel as of February 2026.

The security environment is characterised by ongoing artillery and mortar exchanges in South Lebanon, IDF airstrikes extending into the Beqaa Valley, and a complex threat landscape spanning terrorism, organised crime, and kidnapping across multiple governorates.

The U.S. Embassy assessed as recently as September 2026 that the environment retains significant potential for unforeseen escalation, while FCDO actively encourages anyone currently in Lebanon to depart while commercial options remain available.

Higher-risk locations nearby

• Beirut OLBA CRITICAL