Middle East Airlines A320 aircraft punctured by gunfire while landing in Beirut

A Middle East Airlines (MEA) aircraft came under fire while landing at Beirut International Airport (AIB) in Lebanon, with a bullet puncturing the cabin.

The Airbus A320-232 aircraft, registered OD-MRM, had just operated flight ME311 from Amman Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) to Beirut. The aircraft was landing on runway 16 when it was hit by a stray bullet that punctured the ceiling of the cabin.

No injuries were reported. The aircraft resumed flying the next day, according to Flightradar24 data.

MEA Chairman Mohamad El-Hout blamed the incident on celebratory gunfire, which would be consistent with a bullet entering the aircraft from the top.

“These practices of shooting in the air in Lebanon must be stopped,” Hout told Reuters. “It is a source of danger to air traffic and the airport.”

On January 15, 2022, Greece’s flag carrier Aegean Airlines (32A) decided to temporarily halt flights to and from Beirut after discovering damages on one of its Airbus A320 jets that had recently landed.

Some local publications reported that the aircraft was targeted by gunfire. However, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Works and Transport later denied the claims.