Lebanon Regulator Audits Middle East Airlines After Pilot Complaints

Lebanon’s aviation regulator has launched a safety audit of Middle East Airlines (MEA) after pilot organizations raised concerns about operating flights near areas hit by airstrikes and about how safety incidents are handled, according to letters cited in the report. The Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) initiated the review on June 3. MEA is Lebanon’s flag carrier and is majority-owned by the country’s central bank.

The audit follows complaints from pilot groups, including the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA). The groups said MEA crews were being directed to operate flights close to active strike zones and could face penalties for reporting safety incidents.

IFALPA President Ron Hay outlined the concerns in a May 12 letter addressed to Lebanon’s central bank, which holds a majority share in MEA. In that letter, he described flying civilian aircraft and passengers in high-risk and conflict zones during wartime conditions as “an unconscionable risk,” according to the report.

MEA said it has a strong safety record and that any flights operated during military hostilities were based on risk assessments developed in coordination with the Lebanese government and the LCAA. The airline operates a fleet of around 20 aircraft serving destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and West Africa.

Pilot groups cite incident reporting and pay structure

The pilot groups also raised concerns about internal discipline tied to safety reporting. They highlighted cases in which pilots were allegedly punished for reporting unintentional errors, with penalties affecting per-flight payments.

Those per-flight payments were described as a significant portion of pilots’ income during Lebanon’s economic downturn. One MEA pilot cited in the source material said pilots had a financial incentive to fly because per-flight payments made up a majority of their salaries.

The SkyTeam Pilots Association also raised the MEA concerns with other carriers in the SkyTeam alliance, including Air France and Delta Air Lines, according to the report.

Airline says review found compliance; regulator says process continues

MEA said oversight activity conducted by the LCAA from May 18 to June 1 confirmed the carrier’s compliance with “regulatory and operational safety requirements.”

LCAA head Mohammed Aziz said the audit was still being processed and that the authority was mediating between the pilots and the airline. He previously told IFALPA the regulator would conduct an aviation safety audit and engage in dialogue with MEA on the issues raised.

Further updates are expected as the regulator finalizes its audit findings and mediation continues between pilot representatives and the airline.