By Sami Zaptia.
London, 25 June 2020:
Libya’s internationally recognized government based in Tripoli today reassured of its commitments to complete its airports projects – including Tripoli International Airport.
The news came after a meeting between Presidency Council member Mohammed Ammari Zayed, the Tripoli Transport Minister, the Head of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Head of the Airports Authority, and the Head of the Transportation Project Implementation Authority.
The meeting discussed the effects of Hafter’s destructive aggression on Tripoli and the destruction of the infrastructure of Mitiga airport, obstructions to airport and civil aviation projects and the suspension of the project to build a passenger terminal at Tripoli International Airport.
Maintenance and rehabilitation work carried out recently by the Airports Authority at Mitiga Airport to damage caused by its direct bombing by Hafter’s forces – in preparation for its reopening – were also discussed.
The meeting also discussed the practical measures that the ministry has begun to take to resume the work at the proposed new passenger terminal project at Tripoli International Airport and the accompanying rehabilitation projects.
The meeting also ‘‘welcomed the Italian government’s strong support for the resumption of work on the (Tripoli International Airport’s) project and its completion as soon as possible, of the importance of the project to the two friendly countries, and that the Ministry of Transport and its agencies are committed to its earlier pledge to complete this project despite all the attacks on the capital during its implementation period’’. It added that the Ministry ‘‘will work urgently with all sectors of the state to complete the technical, administrative and financial procedures necessary to resume the project as soon as possible’’.
A number of other projects under way supervised by the Civil Aviation Authority, notably the construction of the alternative air navigation centre, airport towers, communication systems and the Reserve Navigation Centre were discussed.
The importance of completing these projects as soon as possible and the need for the cooperation of all state institutions to implement these projects, as the Libyan state suffers from a lack of equipment and technical equipment necessary for the work of civil aviation, which poses a threat to air traffic and the operation of airports when it returns to operation – was also discussed.
A proposed timetable for the resumption and completion of projects was also reviewed.
The renewed commitment to continue work at Tripoli International Airport is timely in view of much talk of Turkish companies taking over many projects in exchange for their military support for Tripoli against Hafter. This included possible takeover of the completion of Tripoli International Airport which is currently contracted to an Italian consortium.
https://www.libyaherald.com/2020/04/08/zawia-port-and-mitiga-airport-navigation-centre-projects-progressing-transport-ministry/
https://www.libyaherald.com/2018/05/09/construction-of-tripoli-international-airport-to-commence-within-days-minister/
https://www.libyaherald.com/2017/07/23/tripoli-international-airport-reconstruction-will-create-local-jobs-says-italian-consortium/
https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/12/30/gna-transport-minister-elect-confirms-italian-company-to-commence-tripoli-international-airport-construction-early-2017/
