New Airline to Be Based in Lebanon

A Lebanese businessman has announced he will launch a new full-service airline from Lebanon in the next 18 months. Mr. Georges Mousa, currently living in Dubai, said the name of the airline is yet to be decided. Mousa, who also owns Dubai-based Planet Group said "the plan for the airline is ready. However, we have to wait for the Lebanese government to open up the skies for competition." Planet Group provides travel services in the Middle East. The company is also investing a considerable sum of money in hotels in the UAE.

The Lebanese government plans to open its skies to competitive airlines in 2012.  Currently, its national flag carrier, Middle East Airline (MEA) maintains a monopoly on airlines based in the country.

Investing in the start-up airline are Planet Group and other Gulf-based investors.