Lebanese transport minister defends MEA’s reputation, high prices

Some political quarters and news media in Lebanon claimed that MEA’s prices were too high

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Transport and Public Works Ghazi Aridi said Tuesday that he will not allow anyone to discredit Middle East Airlines or tarnish its image.

Speaking at a news conference after touring Rafik Hariri International Airport and holding talks with MEA chairman Mohammed Hout, Aridi suggested that some political quarters may be waging this campaign against the national carrier to set up another Lebanese airline company.

“As long as I am the minister of transport, I will not allow anyone of deliver a blow to MEA nor spread allegations against it. If anyone has an issue with MEA then the management will solve it but if they have issues with the management then I will deal with it,” Aridi said.

Some political quarters and news media in the country claimed that MEA’s prices were too high, an allegation refuted by the management which says soaring fuel prices have affected the current rates.

There were unconfirmed reports that some business groups, backed by political parties, are trying to set up another local airline company.

MEA has exclusive national airline rights, due to end in 2012.

“The staff of MEA belongs to different political affiliations and sectarian groups. But this affiliation should stop at the doorsteps of the chairman of the company,” Aridi said.

He was also critical of some political parties, which he did not name, which he said tried to smear the image of MEA’s management.

Al-Manar, affiliated with Hezbollah, claimed several days ago that MEA’s pilots and crew recently spent one night in a London hotel where Israeli El-Al airlines staff were also staying.

“MEA is not trying to normalize relations with Israel and our national carrier is not making trips to Israel and is also not sending its staff to be trained in Israel,” the minister said, urging the media not to blow stories out of proportion.

Responding to a question, the minister said one the best ways to solve operational problems at the airport is to create a regulatory authority.

As for the complaints about high MEA prices, the minister said that the high fuel prices in the international markets have affected the current rates.

He also called for regulating the open sky policy in Lebanon so that competition can be fairer.