Beirut Duty Free's Irish staff safe in Bahrain

Results of survey
A	36.6 %
B	6.1 %
C	28.0 %
D	11.0 %
E	8.5 %
F	9.8 %

Home

James Featherstone

19-Jul-2006

Print Article

E-Mail Article

Irish staff at Beirut Duty Free are safely out of Lebanon, according to Aer Rianta International-Middle East managing director John Sutcliffe

Irish staff at Beirut Duty Free have been evacuated to Bahrain as the bombardment of the Lebanese capital continues. Aer Rianta International-Middle East (ARI-ME) managing director John Sutcliffe, whose company operates at Beirut Rafik Hariri International airport in a joint venture with Phoenicia Trading, expressed relief that the staff were safe but added that he was concerned for the operator's Lebanese staff, who remain in the country.

Speaking from ARI-ME's Bahrain regional office, Sutcliffe said that Beirut Duty Free's three Irish staff and their families—ten people in total—had obtained permission to travel by car to Damascus before flying to Bahrain. "They arrived in Bahrain yesterday [July 18], so we're very glad to have them safe, although we're still concerned about our Lebanese staff," said Sutcliffe.

Meanwhile Beirut airport remains closed following its bombardment by Israeli jets. "The situation is still difficult, but not a total war zone," said Sutcliffe. "As far as we are aware, the terminal hasn't been hit, but the runways have. We've no idea when we can get back in but there's a lot of mediation going on, and it makes sense that the first thing they'll do is to get the airport opened because that's the main way in and out of Lebanon.

"We know we'll be back in business sooner or later—we just have to be patient. But it's not just about [ARI-ME's] three people; we're just a small part of the Lebanese operation. Our thoughts are definitely with all our colleagues in Beirut. We hope they'll remain safe."

Israeli Air Force missiles hit the three main runways on July 13. The Lebanese government has announced the airport will remain closed until further notice.

Bookmark This Article

• • • •

Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Facebook