Passenger traffic at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport exceeded 1.24 million during the first four months of 2026, according to Blominvest Bank. While regional tensions continue to weigh on travel, recent figures suggest a degree of resilience in Lebanon’s tourism sector.

According to a report by Blominvest Bank, passenger traffic reached 1,242,700 travelers between January and April. The total included 566,296 arrivals, 676,382 departures and 1,441 transit passengers.

Although total traffic fell by 32.84 percent year on year following the escalation of regional conflict in late February, April brought encouraging signs of recovery. Passenger traffic rose 8.8 percent compared to March, while arrivals jumped 47.88 percent month on month to 72,454 travelers. Blominvest Bank attributed the increase to the Easter holiday period, which encouraged Lebanese expatriates and international visitors to travel despite continued security concerns.

The positive momentum has continued into the summer season. According to local media reports, daily arrivals have risen from around 2,000 passengers to approximately 12,000. Airline bookings indicate the figure could reach 15,000 in the coming weeks. Sources familiar with airport operations estimate that monthly arrivals could approach 500,000 visitors if demand remains strong. They also expect total summer arrivals to reach approximately 1.5 million passengers.

The increase is expected to support Lebanon’s tourism and hospitality industries, stimulate economic activity and boost foreign currency inflows.