Barcelona, June 26, 2025: Middle East Airlines Air Liban (MEA) is launching its operations at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona - El Prat Airport with the route between Barcelona (BCN) and Beirut (BEY), with 2 to 3 weekly frequencies on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays starting today.
Schedule:
| ME244 | BCN | 11:10 | BEY | 16:00 | Tuesdays and Thursdays | 26JUN25-18JUL25 |
| ME243 | BEY | 6:30 | BCN | 10:10 | Tuesdays and Thursdays | 26JUN25-18JUL25 |
| ME244 | BCN | 11:10 | BEY | 16:00 | Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 19JUL25-06SEP25 |
| ME243 | BEY | 6:30 | BCN | 10:10 | Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 19JUL25-06SEP25 |
Aircraft model:
Airbus A321NEO with 160 seats (28 Business and 132 Economy)
Operating period: June 26 to September 6, 2025
In quantitative terms, in 2024, the total indirect O&D traffic between Lebanon and Barcelona was 14,619 passengers (indirect O&D demand). Beirut hub offers connectivity to the Middle East and Africa (Source: MIDT Sabre).
Lebanon has over 5.5 million (2024) inhabitants and an emerging tech ecosystem similar to Barcelona’s, making them complementary. The new route is expected to boost investment and collaboration between Lebanese incubators such as Berytech and Catalan ones like Barcelona Activa.
Both cities have a strong creative identity. Beirut is known for its designer fashion; Barcelona for its design and textile industry. In terms of gourmet product exchange (Lebanese wine, Catalan olive oil, cold cuts, traditional sweets), the route could stimulate niche export/import markets.
Barcelona is the European city with the best connectivity both within Europe and domestically in Spain.
Sobre MEA:
Established in 1945, Middle East Airlines (MEA) is Lebanon’s national airline and is majority-owned by Banque du Liban. The airline operates an extensive regional network in the Middle East, as well as international routes to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Barcelona Air Route Development Committee (CDRA)
