Trump says direct flights between US-Lebanon can resume for first time in over 40 years

President Ronald Reagan's administration suspended direct flights between the U.S. and Lebanon in 1985 following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.

By Misty Severi

Published: July 21, 2026 4:03pm

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has lifted a ban on direct flights from the United States to Lebanon after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House.

President Ronald Reagan's administration suspended direct flights between the U.S. and Lebanon in 1985 following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847, according to the Associated Press.

Trump praised the Lebanese leader in a post on Truth Social, stating that the president has done a "remarkable job" serving his country, which has been the site of fierce fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

"After meeting with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, who has done a remarkable job working to transform his Country, I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land," Trump said in the post. "Hopefully, other Countries will do the same."

Hezbollah, which controls much of Lebanon's southern portion, is an Iran-backed organization and much of the conflict has coincided with the Iran war.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.