Rafic Hariri Airport, the only international airport in Lebanon, is located south of the capital Beirut near the town of Khalde. Opened in 1954, the airport has become a crucial hub for air transport in the country. Over the decades, it has experienced various phases of development and modernization, while simultaneously being impacted by security and military crises linked to political transformations in Lebanon and the region. Despite several closures and periods of inactivity, the airport has continued to play a vital role in linking Lebanon with the outside world.

The origins of civil aviation in Lebanon can be traced back to the French Mandate period when French authorities established the first airport in Beirut in 1933 in the Bir Hassan area south of the capital. The airport underwent further development, with construction in a more organized manner commencing in 1936 before it was officially opened in 1938 during the presidency of Émile Eddé. It originally featured a single runway, a modest passenger terminal, and a control tower, forming the nucleus of air transport in Lebanon.

In the summer of 2005, the airport was renamed after former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, who was assassinated in a car bomb attack on February 14 of the same year while his convoy was targeted in central Beirut. The renaming signifies the airport's importance not just for transportation, but also as a symbol of national resilience in the face of adversity, illustrating Lebanon's enduring commitment to maintaining international links despite ongoing challenges.