BEIRUT: Lebanon’s government is set to launch a study on expanding Rafik Hariri Beirut Airport, the public works and transportation minister said Tuesday. “We have agreed to hire a consultancy firm to prepare a feasibility study for expanding the airport,” Ghazi Aridi told reporters after a meeting of a ministerial committee in charge of the issue. The minister said expanding the airport has become necessary following the increase of passengers to more than 6 million a year. Aridi said ministers will consider during Wednesday’s Cabinet session opening a civilian airport in Qleiaat. “The issue is on the Cabinet’s agenda in tomorrow’s session and ministers will discuss hiring a consultancy firm to study the project,” he said.