Lebanon Conducts Safety Audit of MEA Amid Rising Pilot Conflict Tensions.

Middle East Airlines faces scrutiny from pilots' union, citing safety issues as a top priority concern. A meeting was held between the pilots' association and several SkyTeam member airlines regarding their worries about MEA's operations.

Concerns over crew safety have prompted Lebanon's aviation authority to conduct an in-depth review of Middle East Airlines' operations amid escalating tensions between pilots and management over conflict-related flying protocols.

Beirut's flagship airline, MEA, is under the spotlight following a safety audit that highlights its resilience in connecting Lebanon despite regional turmoil, including the Iran conflict which started on February 28, prompting many foreign carriers to steer clear of Middle East airspace due to missile and drone threats.

Wednesday's public announcement from MEA revealed their decision to continue operating flights following assurances of safe airport operations despite regional tensions.

In the midst of escalating tensions between pilots, MEA's continued operations have earned it praise in Lebanon for supporting a fragile economy heavily reliant on tourism and remittances from abroad, with its fleet of approximately 20 planes flying across the Middle East, Europe and West Africa.

The safety audit, conducted over the past fortnight, is an ongoing annual process that predated the recent controversy, according to officials. Notably, MEA has maintained an impressive safety record with no accidents reported in the past six decades.

The Middle East Airlines (MEA) asserts its safety track record is robust and well-established, with all flights operated under carefully crafted risk evaluations in conjunction with the Lebanese authorities during periods of heightened military activity.

Rising tensions between pilots and authorities have sparked concern since 2024, particularly after multiple Israeli airstrikes occurred close to Lebanon's sole commercial airport, prompting IFALPA, a global union of pilot associations, to re-examine the risks for civilian air travel amidst conflict areas.

Tensions between Israel and Lebanon escalated significantly in recent months due to increased airstrikes by Israel against targets in Lebanon.

Flying commercial planes through war-torn areas poses unacceptable dangers, according to a May 12 letter from IFALPA President Ron Hay to Lebanon's central bank, the primary shareholder of MEA. This perilous practice is deemed reckless by aviation experts.

MEA was contacted for comment by Banque du Liban officials.

The sons of MEA's chairman and LCAA's chairman hold captain positions with MEA, having flown for the airline during this time according to MEA's statement to.

Air crash investigator Mohammed Aziz, LCAA head, informed IFALPA in a May 15 correspondence that his team was set to carry out a thorough safety assessment of MEA's aviation operations. This audit would also involve an exchange of views with MEA regarding the concerns raised in their letter.

The LCAA's review of MEA operations between May 18 and June 1 found that the airline met all necessary regulatory and operational safety standards.

On Monday, a meeting concluded with MEA, yet the audit by the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority remained pending, as negotiations continued to resolve issues between MEA and its pilots.

The airline has released a statement contradicting the claims made about its safety standards.

Aviators' compensation is heavily reliant on per-flight payments, which now account for the majority of their reduced salaries following Lebanon's 2019 economic downturn and subsequent financial constraints affecting their industry.

Aviation organizations like IFALPA have raised concerns that pilots who report mistakes to improve safety are instead penalized with mandatory training sessions, resulting in lost per-flight compensation.

Pilots have indeed raised concerns, prompting swift action from management, according to Hay's statement over the phone.

The Middle East Airlines (MEA) has countered claims by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), stating that pilot training schedules align perfectly with regulations.

MEA's public statement revealed that out of 32,000 flights operated since January 2025, four required scrutiny from its safety and operations team. Consequently, five pilots were dispatched to participate in supplementary flight training sessions. The airline reported no similar training exercises took place in the following year, 2026.

Pilot associations have been reaching out to their international counterparts within the SkyTeam airline network, a coalition that comprises airlines like MEA, Air France and Delta Air Lines.

Safety standards are paramount when entrusting colleagues' aircraft with passengers, according to Dara van Langen, chair of the SkyTeam Pilots Association, who emphasized this point during a recent conversation.

The FAA and EASA mandate that airlines operating within their territories conduct audits on foreign codeshare partners to guarantee equivalent safety standards are met.

Air France's codeshare partnership with MEA is subject to regular audits, as per their agreement. Meanwhile, SkyTeam and Delta acknowledge pilot worries, keeping a close eye on developments while emphasizing the paramount importance of aviation safety standards.

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations expressed concern over MEA's payment arrangements with LCAA personnel responsible for aviation safety oversight.

Financial records obtained by reveal that numerous staff members of LCAA have been compensated by MEA, a total of three of whom are employed in aviation safety roles.

Workers at Middle East Airlines may hesitate to report issues if their salaries are partly funded by the airline itself, according to IFALPA's Hay.

In a bid to stabilize Lebanon's aviation sector, Middle East Airlines collaborated with the government to offer financial assistance following the country's economic downturn. As a result, air traffic controllers saw their salaries drastically reduced to a mere $100 per month, representing over 90% cut in pay.

Middle East Airlines clarified that their assistance had no bearing on the LCAA's autonomy, jurisdiction, or regulatory powers, nor did it influence payment to auditors or key officials like Aziz.