FlySSC From Lebanon, joined Aug 2003, 5155 posts, RR: 50 Reply 4, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 4571 times:
Quoting Soups (Reply 3): I believe AF is being diverted
AF566 CDG-BEY (B77W) returned to CDG
The Airport was closed because of the General strike but also because of riots in the south suburbs. The road from the airport to downtown was closed because of those "demonstrations".
BrightCedars From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 757 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 4425 times:
Apparently BEY remains closed today, at least for the morning. Also, no flight arrival and departure info can be queried using the BEY website, I don't know if it's intentional or for security reasons. Especially I noted special and private flights were listed as well, other than scheduled and charter services.
And of course, no info posted in the airport website or MEA's own for that matter.
I always thought it would get worse before it gets better, I'm starting to doubt the getting better part.
How long until my next Singapore Sling? Last Sabena flight: 5-Mar-'01 SN3282 BEY-BRU by A320-200. Missing you Estail...
BrightCedars From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 757 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 4410 times:
With BEY in this situation, is there an alternative airport that could be used North of the capital?
We had a thread during the July 2006 war and the destruction by Israel of any usable runway in the country. Have other runways that those at BEY been repaired since? Is there any facility that can accommodate a wide-body or narrow-body in LB?
How long until my next Singapore Sling? Last Sabena flight: 5-Mar-'01 SN3282 BEY-BRU by A320-200. Missing you Estail...
Soups From Ghana, joined Jun 2004, 3261 posts, RR: 10 Reply 9, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 4374 times:
The only commercial flight that has landed/arrived in BEY is BD Khartoum-beirut-London A321, Probably for refuelling and cabin change. flight left 45min ahead of schedule
Next destinations, Suarabaya, beirut, paris, Accra
BrightCedars From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 757 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 4344 times:
Alternates in Lebanon:
OLKA/KYE (Kleyate/Rene Mouawad) near Tripoli has a 3000 m by 45 m runway (elevation 23 m), announced only for daytime operations, runway has been damaged in 2006, status of repair unknown
OLRA (Rayak) North of Beirut has a near 3000 m by 45 m runway (elevation is 920 m), announced only for daytime operations, runway has been damaged in 2006, status of repair unknown
Any details on the status of these airfields would be appreciated. Also, under which control are they and in what areas: I believe Tripoli is mostly Sunni and North Beirut is mostly Christian?
How long until my next Singapore Sling? Last Sabena flight: 5-Mar-'01 SN3282 BEY-BRU by A320-200. Missing you Estail...
Ramzi From Lebanon, joined Oct 2006, 195 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 4289 times:
Quoting BrightCedars (Reply 6): We had a thread during the July 2006 war and the destruction by Israel of any usable runway in the country. Have other runways that those at BEY been repaired since? Is there any facility that can accommodate a wide-body or narrow-body in LB?
All three runways at BEY were damged to an unusable extent and have been repaired and have been used ever since.
See below for KYE which is viable for commercial use and operational for military use and OLRA which is only viable and operational for military use.
Quoting Soups (Reply 7): Well best option is DAM as its just 2-3hours drive from BEY
Quoting BrightCedars (Reply 8): I think the roads are closed by protesters as well on that side... Also, is it really the best option these days?
Roads are closed, if not so they're dangerous at least. And it is certainly not the best option. In the worst of cases Aleppo airport is another possibility, roads along that route are much safer.
Quoting Soups (Reply 7): The airport near tripoli i believe is not worthy
It is. It has one concrete runway about 3000m long. I believe it can handle any aircraft that BEY can.
Quoting BrightCedars (Reply 10): OLKA/KYE (Kleyate/Rene Mouawad) near Tripoli has a 3000 m by 45 m runway (elevation 23 m), announced only for daytime operations, runway has been damaged in 2006, status of repair unknown
OLRA (Rayak) North of Beirut has a near 3000 m by 45 m runway (elevation is 920 m), announced only for daytime operations, runway has been damaged in 2006, status of repair unknown
Any details on the status of these airfields would be appreciated. Also, under which control are they and in what areas: I believe Tripoli is mostly Sunni and North Beirut is mostly Christian?
About KYE, it was damaged in 2006 such that only around 3000 feet remained usable. It has since been repaired and can operate at full capacity. It is said to only be operational during daylight, I assume because there aren't approach lights, etc.
OLRA - Rayak airport does have such a runway, however it is not made of concrete or asphalt and thus cannot handle any heavy commercial aircraft. It was seriously damaged in 2006 but has also been since repaired and is operational. Unfortunately it is useless in the current situation.
The area/sect issue should not be discussed here, but I'll just mention factually that anyplace there aren't protesters burning tires, there is no danger. Meaning KYE is usable and viable, however I don't know if the terminal there is usable. There certainly is one since it is a joint airport, but it hasn't been used in a very long time. Also, the required employees and airport facilities (baggage trucks, coaches, fueling trucks, etc) may not be available there, and probably aren't, and getting them from BEY will be as much as issue as getting passengers in and out of it.
Well basically it is burning tires and closing roads. And putting the airport out of service. Don't you wonder what a person must have in mind to want to put the only airport in a country out of service?
To sum up, BEY is closed, Rayak is unusable, KYE could be used but most likely will not be due to the lack of necessary services, however its hard to tell if it can be sued temporarily for a few flights now and then. But I think it wouldn't be worth the fuss and BEY will be operational soon. For people needing to get to Beirut urgently, Aleppo airport (don't know the code) is their best bet for now. There are rumors spreading that certain flights are landing at the airport and a non-civilian entrance is being used for passengers to leave the airport and drive or be driven into the city through completely non-hostile routes. Hopefully this is true, but I cannot confirm it, and if it is, I think its possible to likely the 'protesters' will drive a few trucks of sand there if they can. The military should have a strong presence at taht entrance if it is being used, so the worse case would be some sand on the ground. I still don't get this whole sand thing.
To all, hope this post helps and clarifies things.
Ramzi From Lebanon, joined Oct 2006, 195 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 4282 times:
Quoting Burkhard (Reply 11): The only safe place is Larnaka, and than by ship...
I don't think the port is any safer than BEY at the moment. Your statement is not true in any way. See my previous post for clarification. I'd also like to add AMM may be an option if there are problems with Aleppo, but the route to Beirut will have to go through Aleppo making it much longer. The reason is the hostility along the other route, which is the same one from DAM.
BrightCedars From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 757 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 4265 times:
Aleppo is ALP.
However, as far as MEA is concerned, I don't know if they could again move their operations, and if they could do it there.
AMM, DAM & LCA seem difficult (longer trip to AMM, road blocked to DAM, doubtful access by sea to LCA).
KYE might be the best option for some flights, I'm sure most of MEA's fleet can carry extra fuel to do both trips or just hop in and out from AMM or LCA. However the infrastructure can be an issue (trucks, personnel, customs, etc.).
I'm sure if there's a road at BEY that's not closed yet, it may be by the time I post this.
More developments are expected this afternoon on the Lebanese scene, let's hope heads will be cool again soon.
How long until my next Singapore Sling? Last Sabena flight: 5-Mar-'01 SN3282 BEY-BRU by A320-200. Missing you Estail...
BrightCedars From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 757 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 4261 times:
Quoting Soups (Reply 14): Is Latakia airport viable? there are flights from DAM to latakia, its closer to Lebanon than ALP
OSLK/LTK indeed has a capable runway (3000 m x 45 m). Don't know if it's open to International operations and how large the facility is. ALP surely is bigger. Also, as in the case of ALP or DAM it may be a lot dependent on the neighbor relations between Lebanon and Syria.
Edit: being called Bassel al Assad International Airport, I guess International operations are open.
[Edited 2008-05-08 02:56:26] Typo
[Edited 2008-05-08 02:57:06]
How long until my next Singapore Sling? Last Sabena flight: 5-Mar-'01 SN3282 BEY-BRU by A320-200. Missing you Estail...
Ramzi From Lebanon, joined Oct 2006, 195 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (1 month 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 4216 times:
Quoting Soups (Reply 14): Is Latakia airport viable? there are flights from DAM to latakia, its closer to Lebanon than ALP
If I am not mistaken it is only slightly closer than ALP and is certainly not as advanced and efficient as ALP. If there is a choice between the two, I doubt it will be LTK.
Quoting BrightCedars (Reply 15): However, as far as MEA is concerned, I don't know if they could again move their operations, and if they could do it there.
I doubt that will be necessary. It is unlikely this situation will last longer than a few days. All they need is a point for people to enter and leave the country by air, and MEA is very flexible, I am sure they will manage things if another airport is used. Also, I believe the best choice, if needed, is making KYE operational. This will provide them with an extra airport to use when other situations like this one arise. I think the cost will be worth it.
Quoting BrightCedars (Reply 15): More developments are expected this afternoon on the Lebanese scene, let's hope heads will be cool again soon.
I am waiting like you are. I do expect the airport to reopen within 48 hours at the latest. This is quite ambitious though.
Quoting Piskoto (Reply 17): Totally agree! Why not trust an EU airport in such cases?
Because entering Beirut through the port is NOT a viable option at the moment, and KYE or ALP are simply more convenient. The fact that it is 'an EU airport' doesn't make a realistic difference in this situation.
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