Greece's Aegean Airlines halts flights to Lebanon capital after plane damage

Minister dismisses claims that Aegean Airlines may have been hit by bullets

An Aegean Airlines Airbus A320-200 aircraft. Examiners say damage found on one of they airline's planes may have been caused by ground equipment before arriving in Beirut. Photo: Reuters

Greek carrier Aegean Airlines has suspended flights to Lebanon’s capital after damage was found on the fuselage on one of its planes, when it landed in Beirut.

The damage was identified by ground staff at Beirut's international airport on Monday, AP reported.

The airline did not identify the extent or type of damage and said the suspension of flights was announced the following day after informing authorities in both countries.

Reports on social media, which were picked up by Lebanese media, suggested the aircraft may have been hit by bullets.

Lebanese officials, including Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamie, denied gunfire was the cause of the damage.

Mr Hamie shared on his official Twitter account an email exchanged among Lebanese officials saying the hole in the left rear cockpit window was examined and it was determined that a bullet was not the cause of the damage.

The examiners suggested the damage may have been caused by ground equipment before arriving in Beirut.

The Greek airline said a resumption of flights will be announced in the coming weeks.