About 250 Americans and their family members have departed Lebanon on two US-organized flights this week, according to a State Department spokesperson. The second flight, carrying 134 passengers, left Beirut on Thursday morning and both flights proceeded to Istanbul. The US plans to continue organizing these flights in response to the challenging security situation and limited commercial options, as long as there is demand.
In collaboration with Middle East Airlines, the US has secured over 1,400 seats on flights out of Lebanon in the past week, with many seats still available. The spokesperson noted that the prices for commercial flights are high, prompting the US to arrange its own flights. The maximum cost for an American passenger on these US-organized flights is $283. For those unable to afford this amount, the US government is offering loans to cover the ticket cost.
