Middle East Airways!!

[swashplate]

Excellent article about the above mentioned airline in this months ‘Airliners Magazine’ (US).

Apparently, they’ve survived commando raids, shelling etc during the Lebanese civil war and still kept going!!!! :eek:

Most staff relocated to Paris, but hard core of 150 staff stayed on at Beirut Airport in siege conditions!!! :eek:
They went to charter flying and leased out aircraft to other carriers during battles in Beirut. During ‘lulls’ in fighting, aircraft came back off lease, and they went back to schedules.
Good to hear that staff apparently put aside their differences to work together and keep the Airline going.


Anyone any further info? Anyone remember this happening?

How many of us could go to work in the middle of a civil war…..?? :confused:


Well done Middle East Airlines!!!!! :cool:

[sheikandvac]

Re Middle East Airlines (MEA)
I remember it only too well being employed at LHR for them in the 70's and 80's.
It is amazing that they managed to keep going and are still flying today.They did put their a/c out on charter when BEY was closed due to shelling/fighting but the shelling often started without warning and one B720 was destroyed on the ground with the tragic loss of the Capt and F/O. The F/E was badly injured but did survive.At its worst time the airport was shut for 6 months but at the outstations they still managed to keep all their staff and still paid them virtually full salaries. It's fair to say that prior to the start of hostilities in 1975 MEA was the largest and best operator in that region, even to the point of having some options to purchase Concord.I have fond memories of MEA and BEY was a great place to be in the early 70's.
Cheers......