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Rene Mouawad Air Base (IATA: KYE, ICAO: OLKA) is a military airfield near Kleyate in Lebanon's Akkar Governorate, roughly 20–25 km northeast of Tripoli. Formerly known as Kleiat Air Base, it was renamed after former Lebanese President René Moawad and serves the Lebanese Air Force rather than as a regular commercial airport. It has occasionally handled government, military, and special civilian flights, but it is not a standard passenger hub.
💡 Local Tip
Frequent visitors know to carry printed authorization and photo ID, expect multiple security checks, and pre-arrange a driver familiar with the Kleyate checkpoint procedures; mobile coverage can be patchy near the perimeter, so download offline maps before heading out.
🚖 Getting There
Because the base is primarily military, there is no regular public transport or commercial terminal for travelers; arrange a private car, taxi, or authorized pickup in advance. The drive from Tripoli usually takes around 30–45 minutes via the main Tripoli–Akkar road, depending on traffic and security checkpoints. If you have official business, confirm access permissions and meeting point before departure, as the base is not set up for walk-in passengers.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Rene Mouawad Air Base open to commercial passenger flights?
A: No, it is primarily a military air base; scheduled commercial service is not normally available, and travelers should use Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) for regular flights.
Q: What are the airport codes for Rene Mouawad Air Base?
A: The IATA code is KYE and the ICAO code is OLKA.
Q: Where is the airport located?
A: It is near Kleyate in the Akkar Governorate of northern Lebanon, about 20–25 km northeast of Tripoli.
Q: Why is it called Rene Mouawad Air Base?
A: It is named after René Moawad, a former Lebanese president assassinated in 1989; the facility was previously known as Kleiat Air Base.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 29, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash