The Lebanese flag carrier Middle East Airlines – Air Liban has dismissed rumors that one if its Airbus aircraft disappeared from radar during a flight.
Middle East Airlines issued a statement on September 22, 2024, categorically denying the passenger jet was involved in an incident as claims about the aircraft’s fate began to swell on social media.
Among some of the more outlandish claims were reports that an explosion in the air had been heard by residents over Cyprus.
“Some media sites circulated news that one of the Middle Eastern airlines (Air Liban) planes had disappeared from radar. The company would like to deny this news and announce that it is false,” a spokesperson for the flag carrier said.
The denial comes at a heightened time of tensions in Lebanon after Israeli forces stepped up bombardment of the country targeting Hezbollah.
توضيح صادر عن شركة طيران الشرق الأوسط pic.twitter.com/ygLstcWeca
— Middle East Airlines (@MEAAIRLIBAN) September 22, 2024
On September 23, 2024, an Israeli military official said that its forces were currently focused on an “aerial campaign only” with concerns that a ground invasion of Lebanon could be initiated.
Middle East Airlines is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and operates from its hub in Rafik Hariri International Airport (BEY) in Beirut.
According to ch-aviation, the Middle East Airlines fleet consists of seven Airbus A321neos, eight A320-200s and three A330-200s.