MEA CHAIRMAN SAYS OPEN SKIES POLICY LOOSE AND UNREGULATED

Mohammad Hout chairman of Middle East Airlines (MEA) has warned that the unrestrained and unregulated open sky policy in Lebanon could affect the profitability of the national carrier. Although Hout s not against the open sky policy in Lebanon, he criticised it for being loose and unregulated. Open skies were approved in the country in 2001 to encourage open competition but Hout has called for the government to ensure all 55 Arab and foreign airlines flying to Rafik Hariri International Airport fully comply with the regulations and procedures that govern the open sky policy. “If the open sky policy remains