# Middle East Airlines - Air Liban > Flag-carrier airline of Lebanon **Wikidata**: [Q859510](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q859510) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_Airlines) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/middle-east-airlines-air-liban ## Summary Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the flag-carrier airline of Lebanon, established in 1945 and headquartered in Beirut. It operates as a commercial airline, providing passenger and freight services, and is owned by the Lebanese government. The airline serves as a key economic entity in Lebanon, reflecting the country's cultural and geopolitical significance in the Middle East. ## Key Facts - **Founding Date**: January 1, 1945 - **Headquarters**: Beirut, Lebanon - **Ownership**: Owned by the Lebanese government (Banque du Liban) - **Flag Carrier**: Official national airline of Lebanon - **Fleet**: Includes aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family, Boeing 747-200, and De Havilland Comet - **Historical Aircraft**: Operated models like the Sud Aviation Caravelle, Convair CV-990 Coronado, and Junkers Ju 52/3m - **Notable Incidents**: Involved in significant events, including the 1963 Ankara mid-air collision and the 1976 bombing of Middle East Airlines Flight 438 - **Current Operations**: Maintains a presence at Beirut International Airport - **Aliases**: Middle East Airlines – Air Liban S.A.L., Middle East Airlines – Air Liban SAL, MEA - **Website**: [https://www.mea.com.lb/](https://www.mea.com.lb/) - **Wikidata ID**: Q1776564 - **Sitelink Count**: 39 ## FAQs - **What is the history of Middle East Airlines?** Middle East Airlines was founded in 1945 and has since been the primary commercial airline of Lebanon, operating both domestically and internationally. It has faced challenges, including aircraft incidents and political disruptions, but remains a key player in Lebanese aviation. - **What aircraft does Middle East Airlines operate?** The airline's fleet includes modern models like the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 747-200, as well as historical aircraft such as the Sud Aviation Caravelle and Junkers Ju 52/3m. - **Where is Middle East Airlines headquartered?** The airline is headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, and operates primarily from Beirut International Airport. - **What notable incidents has Middle East Airlines been involved in?** Middle East Airlines has been involved in significant events, including the 1963 Ankara mid-air collision and the 1976 bombing of Flight 438, which had a major impact on Lebanese aviation history. - **Who owns Middle East Airlines?** Middle East Airlines is owned by the Lebanese government, specifically Banque du Liban, reflecting its status as the national carrier of Lebanon. ## Why It Matters Middle East Airlines holds significant importance as the flag-carrier airline of Lebanon, serving as a vital economic and cultural institution in the country. Its operations reflect Lebanon's strategic location in the Middle East and its role as a hub for regional and international travel. The airline has played a crucial role in connecting Lebanon to the global aviation network, despite facing challenges such as political instability and economic crises. Its historical significance, including involvement in major aviation incidents, underscores its place in Lebanese and Middle Eastern aviation history. As a key player in Lebanese transportation, Middle East Airlines contributes to the country's economic vitality and cultural exchange. ## Notable For - **Flag Carrier Status**: As Lebanon's national airline, it represents the country's identity in global aviation. - **Historical Fleet**: Operated a diverse range of aircraft, including vintage models like the Junkers Ju 52/3m and Sud Aviation Caravelle. - **Notable Incidents**: Involved in major aviation events, such as the 1963 Ankara mid-air collision and the 1976 bombing of Flight 438. - **Government Ownership**: Owned by Banque du Liban, reflecting its role as a state-backed economic entity. - **Airport Operations**: Maintains a presence at Beirut International Airport, a critical hub for Lebanese aviation. ## Body ### Definition and Classification Middle East Airlines (MEA) is a commercial airline that serves as the flag-carrier of Lebanon. It is classified as an airline and a business entity, with a primary focus on passenger and freight transportation. The airline is owned by the Lebanese government, specifically Banque du Liban, and operates under the name Middle East Airlines – Air Liban S.A.L. It is recognized as a key economic player in Lebanon, reflecting the country's cultural and geopolitical significance. ### Structure and Operation Middle East Airlines is headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, and operates primarily from Beirut International Airport. The airline's fleet includes modern aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 747-200, as well as historical models like the Sud Aviation Caravelle and Junkers Ju 52/3m. The airline has a significant presence in Lebanese aviation, serving both domestic and international routes. ### Historical Context Middle East Airlines was founded in 1945 and has since been a central figure in Lebanese aviation. It has operated a diverse range of aircraft, including vintage models that reflect the evolution of aviation technology. The airline has been involved in notable incidents, such as the 1963 Ankara mid-air collision and the 1976 bombing of Flight 438, which have shaped its historical legacy. ### Global Knowledge and Library Indices Middle East Airlines is extensively indexed in global library and semantic web systems. It holds a Dewey Decimal Classification and is cataloged by major libraries, including the Library of Congress and the National Library of Israel. The airline's digital presence includes Wikipedia entries in multiple languages and various social media platforms. ### Digital Presence and Media Middle East Airlines has a significant digital footprint, with Wikipedia entries in over 39 languages. The airline's website, [https://www.mea.com.lb/](https://www.mea.com.lb/), serves as a primary source of information for passengers and stakeholders. It is also featured in academic and encyclopedic resources, including the Encyclopædia Britannica and the Great Russian Encyclopedia. ### Identifiers and Aliases Middle East Airlines utilizes a wide range of unique identifiers and multilingual aliases. It is recognized by Wikidata as Q1776564 and has various aliases, including Middle East Airlines – Air Liban S.A.L. and MEA. The airline's presence in global knowledge graphs includes entries in BabelNet, Freebase, and the Google Knowledge Graph. ### Related Entities Middle East Airlines is connected to several key entities, including Banque du Liban (its owner), Beirut (its headquarters and primary operating location), and significant aircraft models such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 747-200. These relationships highlight its role as a central figure in Lebanese aviation and its contributions to global air transport. ## References 1. [Source](http://www.skyteam.com/en/about/) 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. [Mohamad El-Hout Re-elected as MEA Chairman for a Tenth Term. Middle East Airlines - Air Liban. 2025](https://www.mea.com.lb/english/about-mea/news-and-press-releases/news-and-press-releases/re-election-of-mea-chairman) 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. Quora 6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20151125195059/https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1971/1971%20-%200721.PDF)