00:00For many Lebanese people, the pilots of Middle East airlines are heroes.
00:05Known as MEA, Lebanon's national carrier has kept the country connected to the world
00:10throughout economic turmoil and regional conflict.
00:13While many foreign airlines suspended flights, MEA kept flying in and out of Beirut,
00:19even as Israeli airstrikes landed close to the airport.
00:22But now the airline is facing scrutiny.
00:24Lebanon's aviation regulator has launched a safety audit after international pilot groups raised concerns
00:31about operations near conflict zones and the reporting of safety issues.
00:35While MEA rejects those claims, it says that flights continued only after international guarantees
00:41that Beirut airport would remain outside the conflict zone.
00:45It also says the audit was routine and it notes that the airline hasn't suffered a single accident in 60
00:51years.
00:52The conflict has had the effect of hammering demand for air travel.
00:56But if peace efforts succeed, MEA could still benefit from the crucial summer season,
01:01meaning that much-needed visitors and much-needed dollars are brought into the country.
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