Dar working on expansion plans for Beirut Airport and new airport in North

Lebanon’s airports sector is preparing for a period of expansion and revitalisation, with engineering consultancy Dar Al Handasah (Dar) putting forward plans for both Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport and the new René Mouawad Airport.

As the country seeks political and economic recovery, Lebanon’s attention is increasingly turning to the development of key infrastructure sectors, including ports, airports, and digital infrastructure, which are essential to driving national growth and serving public interests.

Rafic Hariri International Airport

Modernising Lebanon’s main airport is a top priority, with Rafic Hariri International Airport set to undergo significant upgrades in the coming years. Since the formation of the new government earlier this year, the airport has already seen some cosmetic improvements to the terminal and surrounding areas.

However, the new plans are far more ambitious. Rafic Hariri International Airport is planning the construction of a second terminal, estimated to cost between $400 million and $500 million. The terminal will initially accommodate 5 million passengers, with a particular focus on Middle East Airlines, Lebanon’s national carrier, and SkyTeam alliance partners including Air France, KLM, Alitalia, and Saudia.

The design incorporates advanced passenger processing technologies, eliminating the need for traditional passport control. The terminal layout features eight ‘fingers’ for narrow-body aircraft and three for wide-body aircraft, bringing the total to 11 gates. Provisions have also been made for a future expansion that could increase capacity to 8 million passengers if demand grows in the decade ahead.

Designed by Dar Al Handasah, the government is currently working on financing for the overhaul. In earlier expansion plans, Lebanon had appointed the US-based International Finance Corporation (IFC) as transaction adviser, though it is not yet clear which firms are leading the project’s financing this time round.

Reports in Lebanon suggest the project will be executed through a public-private partnership, combining government oversight with private sector efficiency.

René Mouawad Airport

In parallel, the Lebanese government is advancing plans for a second international airport in the north. At the government’s request, Dar Al Handasah has developed a masterplan to revive René Mouawad Airport, also known as Kleyate Airport.

The airport is located on Lebanon’s northern coastline, approximately 7 km from the Syrian border, 25 km from Tripoli, and 100 km from capital city Beirut. Established in 1934, it has primarily served as a military base since the late 1960s. The airport was renamed after President René Mouawad following his assassination in 1989.

The government sees the need for a second airport as critical to accommodate the country’s growing passenger traffic and to relieve pressure on Rafic Hariri International Airport, which currently handles 5 to 8 million passengers annually, beyond its optimal capacity.

A northern airport would also better serve the region’s 1.2 million residents, while boosting tourism, trade, exports, and job creation. Strategically, a second airport enhances national security, providing a backup facility and quick links to the Mediterranean and broader Middle East in case of disruptions in Beirut.

In addition to passenger services, the airport is planned as a cargo hub, leveraging its proximity to the Port of Tripoli. Future development may include a free economic zone and aircraft maintenance facilities.

According to current plans, René Mouawad Airport is expected to open for business in 2026, with phased upgrades as further investment flows in.

The Consultant

Dar Al Handasah, the engineering and construction consultant involved in the design of both projects, was founded in 1956 in Beirut. Today, the firm is one of the region’s most influential engineering and consulting companies, with over 9,000 professionals operating across 54 offices in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.