Travel prices crisis to Lebanon in 2025.. Expatriates complain and MEA responds

In the summer of 2025, Lebanon witnessed a significant increase in travel ticket prices, causing dissatisfaction among expatriate Lebanese. According to Mazen Naddaf, the owner of a travel agency, prices have risen by about 40% compared to last year due to high demand from expatriates, affecting most airlines flying to Beirut. Ticket prices for departures from Beirut are still relatively acceptable, while the increase mainly affects those coming to Beirut. The high demand has led even first-class seats to be fully booked, making it difficult for travelers like one from Ghana to secure a seat to Beirut. Hussein Zalghout, another travel agency owner, noted a noticeable increase in prices this year due to full flights, prompting companies to raise prices automatically based on supply and demand laws. MEA responded to criticisms, explaining that their prices are not high compared to foreign airlines and are linked to the global Yield Management system, gradually raising prices as seats fill up. They emphasized that early bookers received acceptable prices, while current prices are high due to seat scarcity. The company also stated that this year's demand is higher than last year, increasing pressure on flights. Despite their fleet of 22 planes operating at full capacity, increasing flights is currently not feasible. It is considered more appropriate to increase flights by foreign airlines, a step already taken by Emirates, which will operate three daily flights starting in June instead of two. Sources predict that airlines like Air France and Turkish Airlines will increase their flights to Beirut, while Lufthansa is preparing to resume its suspended flights since the war, expected to operate two flights daily this month. Despite the price hike, expatriate bookings are increasing, with hope for expanding flights to ease pressure and gradually reduce prices.