Dubai businessman tactics airline in Lebanon

Georges Mousa, a Dubai-based Lebanese businessman, will launch a full-service airline from his country in the next 18 months, subject to essential approvals.

The plan for the airline is prepared. However, we will have to wait for the Lebanese Government to open up the skies for competition," Mousa, who owns Dubai-based Planet Group, told Gulf News.

His company operates a travel agency and provides different business travel services. Planet Group is spending Dh1 billion in hotel development in the UAE.

Two other anonymous Gulf partners will join Mousa's airline venture. Jointly, we have enough resources to fund the start-up airline and run it successfully, he said.

The Lebanese Government is probable to open its sky to competition in 2012. Until then its flag carrier Middle East Airline (MEA) will carry on to enjoy a monopoly, Fadi Aboud, Minister of Tourism, told Gulf News.

Mousa's effort will be the second airline venture in Lebanon by Gulf-based investors.