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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport

Beirut, Mount Lebanon Governorate (Lebanon)

IATA: BEY ICAO: OLBA

Longest Active Runway

12,467 ft

3,800 meters

Field Elevation

87 ft

27 m MSL

Runway Inventory

3 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

33.8198°, 35.4874°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#127 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#205 of 7558

Top 2.8% percentile worldwide

National Standing (Lebanon)

#1 in LB

#1 of 2 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+24.7%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 Statistical Statement: Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport's longest active runway measures 12,467 ft (3,800 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #127. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #205 worldwide (Top 2.8%) and #1 nationally in Lebanon.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is Lebanon's vital air connection to the global diaspora. Because steep mountain ridges rise sharply immediately east of the airport, the airfield was re-engineered with runways extending into the Mediterranean Sea. Runway 03/21 measures 12,467 ft, allowing Middle East Airlines (MEA) and international carriers to depart at maximum takeoff weights over open water.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Three active runways: 03/21 (12,467 ft / 3,800 m), 16/34 (11,122 ft / 3,390 m), and 17/35 (9,452 ft / 2,881 m).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Opened in 1954 replacing the older Bir Hassan airfield. Rebuilt following the Lebanese Civil War in 1998 with land reclamation extending Runway 16/34 directly into the Mediterranean Sea.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Sole operational commercial airport in Lebanon, situated 5 NM south of Beirut city center.

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Flanked by the Mount Lebanon range to the east, requiring instrument arrivals to approach over water from the west; Runway 16/34 juts into the Mediterranean to avoid urban obstacles.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Lebanon National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.

ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy

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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 87 ft (27 m MSL) in Beirut. Situated in low-lying coastal terrain, the aerodrome benefits from dense ambient atmospheric pressure, maximizing turbine engine thrust and wing lift efficiency across all departure vectors.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

1 Qualifying Aerodrome in Vicinity

Sole operational commercial airport in Lebanon, situated 5 NM south of Beirut city center. Within a 100 NM radius, the facility coordinates airspace flows with 1 qualifying commercial aerodromes, with Damascus International Airport (DAM) located 57 NM away.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 12,467 ft (3,800 m)

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport's active flight strips comprise 03/21 (12,467 ft), 16/34 (11,138 ft), 17/35 (10,663 ft). With a longest active threshold of 12,467 ft (3,800 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
03/21	12,467 ft (3800m)	148 ft (45m)	`Concrete (CON)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
16/34	11,138 ft (3395m)	148 ft (45m)	`Concrete (CON)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
17/35	10,663 ft (3250m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🧭 Comparative Aerodromes (100 NM Radius, ≥5,000 ft Paved)

Great-circle Haversine spatial proximity matching for commercial facilities with paved runway capacity within 100 NM.

Aerodrome Name	IATA	Distance	Longest Runway	Lighting
Damascus International Airport (Damascus)	`DAM`	57 NM (105.6 km)	11,811 ft	✅ Lighted

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database

Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01

Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected

Source Verification: Source-reported registry data

Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/bey.json ↗