Russian flag carrier Aeroflot to resume Lebanon flights after months-long suspension

Russian airline Aeroflot is set to resume flights between Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport and Beirut International Airport, Lebanon's outgoing Minister of Transport and Public Works, Ali Hamiye said in a tweet on Thursday.

The announcement came after a meeting between Hamiye, Aeroflot general manager Sergei Prosvinov and Russia's ambassador in Beirut, Alexander Rudakov.

The three officials also discussed wheat and fuel donations from Russia to Lebanon, as well as maritime borders between Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus.

Beirut airport director Fadi Hassan told L'Orient Le Jour that three flights per week would take place from 1 December.

Aeroflot, Russia's flag carrier, suspended most international flights in March due to what it described as "unfavourable conditions".

“To reduce risks for passengers of inability to use return flights to Russia Aeroflot, starting from 6 March (00:00 MSK), will stop admitting on international flights passengers holding return tickets with the return segment to Russia dated after 8 March 2022," the airline said in a statement at the time.

The move came just weeks after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, which led to sanctions on Moscow.

Among the measures which impacted Aeroflot was a ban on Russian aircraft in the airspace of European Union member states.