Donald Trump lifts 41-year flight ban on Lebanon, Joseph Aoun says

Joseph Aoun welcomed an American action to end air travel limits in Lebanon on Saturday. Direct airline routes between the two nations had remained blocked for four decades. The change marks renewed American trust in local aviation safety actions, Aoun stated.

Direct trips between the nations stopped in 1985 under the Reagan administration. That federal order followed the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. Donald Trump announced the policy shift during an official visit by Aoun to Washington in July.

Trump ordered the restrictions lifted nearly two weeks ago. The decision became public on Saturday. American air carriers may now resume direct service.

The decision followed two wars between Israel and Hezbollah over the past two years. Those conflicts killed many political and military leaders in the Iran-backed group.

Separate regional violence struck Saudi Arabia this week. Attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels damaged three planes at Riyadh airport on Thursday, two regional officials said Saturday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

Three Saudi citizens died and several were wounded, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said Friday. Houthis fired another missile at Riyadh on Friday evening, an official said. Flightradar24 reported many flights diverted.

Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has escalated. A Saudi-led coalition provides air support to Yemeni government troops.

Violence also escalated in Sudan along the Ethiopia border. A drone strike killed at least 40 people, including children, on Friday, according to Emergency Lawyers. The legal group blamed the Rapid Support Forces for the strike in the Abu Shandi area of Blue Nile province.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs condemned the strike. The war has killed at least 150,000 people since 2023, according to ACLED.

Aviation bans restrict commercial airlines from operating direct passenger routes between designated nations. Governments review these transport policies during bilateral security talks. Civil aviation agencies inspect terminal facilities before flight approvals proceed.

Lebanon authorities continue civil aviation updates following the Washington announcement.