{"id":756864,"date":"2025-07-01T07:55:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T07:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/?p=756864"},"modified":"2025-07-01T07:55:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T07:55:59","slug":"the-truth-about-meas-low-cost-airline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/en\/756864\/the-truth-about-meas-low-cost-airline\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth About MEA’s Low-Cost Airline"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rumors about Lebanon\u2019s Middle East Airlines launching a low-cost carrier had been making the rounds on social media. For a while, there was no clear answer on if, or when, it would actually happen. But now, here\u2019s what we know about MEA\u2019s plans for a low-cost airline.<\/p>

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MEA Had Been Working On This for a While\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>

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MEA’s chairman Mohamad El Hout revealed that the airline had been studying the launch of a fully independent low-cost airline under MEA Group for almost 10 years now. The project had always been delayed due to market conditions and aircraft availability. The economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in delaying the project.<\/p>

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When Will It Launch?<\/h3>

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El Hout explained that MEA had been monitoring demand for affordable flights. Countries like Germany, Denmark, and Egypt were among the markets under consideration. <\/p>

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A key challenge was finding available planes, as global supply chain issues and manufacturing delays left many airlines struggling to secure new aircraft. MEA itself has been waiting on several delayed Airbus deliveries. This includes narrow-body A321 XLRs and wide-body A330 Neos<\/a>, which are expected to arrive over the next few years.<\/p>

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