Kuwait Airways is the first airline to land in Beirut

The Corporation resumed its flights to Beirut on Thursday 7th September 2006 at 4PM local time and landed at 6:40PM local time at the Rafiq Al-Harriri International Airport.

On board were prominent VIPs like Minister of Communication, Dr. Maasouma Al Mubarak and Kuwait Airways Chairman and Managing Director, Sheikh Talal Al- Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al- Sabah along with Senior Officials; Mr. Ahmad Al-Hilal- Director of Marketing and Sales, Captain Ahmed Al-Kreebani, Director of Operations, Mr. Hamad Al-Falah, Director Engineering Dept, Mr. Mohammed Al-Othman, Director Security Dept, Mr Maher Al-Sardi, Director Ground Handling, Mr. Adel Boresly, Director of Public Relations and Information and Mr. Saad Al-Otaibi, Head of Media; together with local media groups.

Upon arrival, the Kuwaiti guests were received by Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mohammed Safadi. Mr. Safadi praised Kuwait's unlimited support to his country; pointing out to the Kuwait Airways Corporation's plane that landed at Harriri International Airport.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Kuwaiti Minister of Communications Dr. Masouma Al-Mubarak; Al-Safadi said that the Kuwaiti people had always stood with Lebanon; hailing the Kuwaiti noble initiative of landing in Beirut minutes after the lifting of the blockade.

KAC officials also met the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora, who expressed his deep gratitude to Kuwait for their continual support shown towards them and praised their sincere efforts and cooperation.

KAC's plane had last landed at Hariri International on July 12th, the same day Israel had launched its offensive against Lebanon. For her part, Dr Maasouma Al-Mubarak expressed pride that the Kuwaiti plane was the first Arab Airliner to land in Beirut after the ordeal was over.