For 40 years, no direct commercial flights have connected Lebanon and the United States. That ban, rooted in a single violent incident during the Reagan era, may finally be lifted after former President Donald Trump announced the route could resume. Main Developments Trump stated that direct flights between the US and Lebanon can now resume, ending a four-decade prohibition. The announcement came without immediate details on which airlines would operate the route or when service might begin. Background The ban traces directly to the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847. Militants seized the plane en route from Athens to Rome, diverting it to Beirut and demanding the release of prisoners. A US Navy diver was killed during the ordeal, which lasted 17 days and involved the plane shuttling between Beirut and Algiers. Read also: Pakistan-administered Kashmir votes amid deadly protests and internet blackout In response, the US government imposed a ban on direct commercial flights between the two countries, citing security concerns. The restriction has remained in place ever since, even as Lebanon endured a civil war and later periods of relative stability. Why It Matters Lifting the ban would fundamentally alter travel for the Lebanese diaspora, estimated at over 2 million people in the US. Currently, passengers must transit through European hubs like Paris or Frankfurt, adding hours and cost to journeys. The move also signals a potential thaw in US-Lebanon relations, though security assessments will remain a central factor. What's Next No timeline has been announced for the resumption of flights. US and Lebanese aviation authorities must still negotiate operational agreements, and airlines will need to assess demand and security conditions before launching service.