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Beirut.com

MEA To Charge In Fresh Dollars As Of June 8

As if things could not get any worse, Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines sent out a notice days ago informing passengers that all MEA tickets must be settled in fresh dollars only, effective June 8. Until then, payments may be settled in Lebanese pounds or in local checks.



This left thousands of people frantically booking flights in a bid to take advantage of the little time left before the policy change. Travel was already a luxury for most of the Lebanese population as banking restrictions and a crumbling economy limited their spending, but now it just seems downright impossible.

This shift to fresh dollars is seemingly due to offset the rising cost of jet fuel that is becoming less and less subsidized. The Central Bank owns 99% of MEA.