The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has found that Beirut Rafic Hariri International lacks valid certification, according to a report summary seen by Reuters, setting back US President Donald Trump’s plan to revive direct US-Lebanon flights. The report also said that the airport lacks an emergency plan, that Lebanon's Civil Aviation Authority lacks air traffic control licensing inspectors, and that its aircraft accident investigation capabilities need improvement.

Lebanon has said that corrective action is underway, but the war with Israel is stalling progress. The restrictions were first imposed in 1985 after a B727-200 belonging to TWA - Trans World Airlines was hijacked, during which an American serviceman on board was killed.