Middle East Airlines – Air Liban S.A.L., more commonly known as Middle East Airlines (MEA), is the national flag-carrier airline of Lebanon. It operates scheduled international flights from its base at Rafic Hariri International Airport. Middle East Airlines (MEA) is a member of the Sky Team airline alliance.
Middle East Airlines was founded in 1945 with operational and technical support from BOAC. After the association with BOAC ended in 1961, MEA was merged with Air Liban in 1963. The full title was then Middle East Airlines – Air Liban. In 1963 MEA also took over Lebanese International Airways. The current name was adopted in 1965 when the airline was completely merged with Air Liban. MEA had to adjust its operations to the realities of war in Lebanon between 1975 and 1991 and despite multiple closures of the base at Beirut International Airport, was able to continue operating against all odds.
Source: Wikipedia