Middle East Airlines, the Lebanese national carrier, in which the Central Bank holds the majority of shares, announced that it will accept the only US dollar as of Monday.
The company linked its decision to the economic collapse and the severe liquidity crisis that has threatened the country for months.
A statement issued by the company said that the airlines will accept all payments by credit cards in addition to the bank checks. It declared that any process will be in foreign currency.
The statement revealed that travelers can pay the overloading fees and other fees for modifying the reservation in Lebanese currency at its offices at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut.
Dozens of citizens gathered on Sunday in front of Middle East office at Beirut Airport, the only branch that opens its doors on Sunday.
The angry crowd wanted to buy tickets in the Lebanese currency before the new decision comes into effect on Monday, according to local media reports.
In spite of the economic crisis, the Middle East company has maintained during the past months its acceptance of paying in Lebanese currency according to the official exchange rate fixed at 1507 per dollar.
However, the exchange rate in the parallel market exceeded two thousand pounds and sometimes hit 2400 Lebanese pounds per dollar.
On the other hand, travel and tourism companies were asking to pay in dollars or Lebanese pounds according to the exchange rate in the parallel market.
Customers go to the offices of Middle East directly to buy their tickets.
The local media in Lebanon quoted a statement of the Union of Owners of Travel and Tourism Agencies thanking the management of Middle East for its recent decision.
The last decision made by the Middle East company came at a time when citizens are struggling to get their money out from banks.
The banking institutions in Lebanon have gradually tightened restrictions since summer on cash operations and withdrawals, especially in dollars, and transfers abroad.
The ceiling allowed in a number of banks does not exceed 600 dollars per month.
Instead of obtaining cash, banks now give citizens bank checks with their money, to pay their dues.
The Middle East decision sparked the dissatisfaction of activists on social media.
An activist wrote the Middle East belongs to the Lebanese state. This is a flagrant violation of the laws.
We are not heading towards collapse, we are in the midst of collapse.
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