Italian Airlines to launch flights to Tripoli end of November, Tripoli International Airport to reopen mid-2024

Two pieces of positive news regarding Libya’s aviation sector were revealed this Sunday and Monday.

During Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba’s meeting with Italian Ambassador to Libya Gianluca Alberini on Sunday, the Aldabaiba government reported that Alberini had confirmed that ‘‘Italian Airlines will launch its flights to Tripoli at the end of November within the airliner’s winter calendar.’’

On Monday, during Aldabaiba’s participation in the symposium held in Tripoli entitled ‘‘Preparing for the International Audit Programme on Libya in the Field of Civil Aviation’’, Aldabaiba said he expected Tripoli International Airport to reopen in the middle of 2024.

He said Libya was holding talks with Turkish and Qatar Airways to resume their flights to and from Libya.

Aldabaiba said his government had succeeded in restoring what was destroyed by wars and developed integrated projects in the field of aviation.

ICAO to visit in March 2024
The symposium was organised by the Ministry of Transportation and its Civil Aviation Authority, which it says comes within the framework of preparation for the task of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) team to audit the extent of the Libyan state’s compliance with the systems, standards and rules adopted in the field of international civil aviation. It is expected to begin its audit in March 2024 with the aim of lifting the air embargo imposed on Libya.

The symposium reviewed the compliance work and implementation of all requirements and recommendations contained in the international audit programme in the field of aviation safety and security.

At the event, it was stated that lifting the air embargo is considered one of the most important goals of the Aldabaiba government because it will have a positive impact on attracting foreign influx and thereby enhancing the reality of sustainable development in Libya.

Visiting civil aviation inspection teams have made positive reports on Libyan airports
Meanwhile, at the symposium, the Director of the Civil Aviation Authority, Mohamed Shlebik said that the Egyptian Civil Aviation had sent more than one team to audit the procedures followed by Libyan Civil Aviation and acknowledged in its report its acceptance and allowed Egyptian airlines to operate their flights to Libyan airports.

The UAE Civil Aviation allowed Libyan airlines to operate their flights to Dubai Airport after sending a team to evaluate the procedures followed at Libyan airports, and the results were positive.

He said visiting civil aviation inspection teams came from Jordan, Turkey, and Italy to evaluate Libyan civil aviation, and most of the teams’ results were positive, but not sufficient for our ambitions, but at least they will remove the restrictions placed on flights.

He reminded that Italy had recently lifted restrictions on Libyan airspace, and a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two sides, and Italian airlines will begin operating flights to Libyan airports next month.

Shlebik said the general situation is better than it was before and called on all parties to support the Civil Aviation Authority and prepare for the upcoming ICAO’s audit of Libyan airports.

On the day of first direct Tripoli to Rome flight, MoU signed between Libyan Civil Aviation and its Italian counterpart (libyaherald.com)

Direct flights from Tripoli to Rome to resume on Saturday (libyaherald.com)

Qatar Civil Aviation to conduct Libyan airports inspection in October, signs MoU with Libyan counterpart (libyaherald.com)

Civil Aviation Authority concludes meetings with Turkish Civil Aviation team inspecting airports for possible return of Turkish airliners (libyaherald.com)

Technical Turkish delegation reaffirms desire for return of Turkish airlines to Libya (libyaherald.com)

urkey considering resumption of Turkish airliners’ flights to Libya, to develop strategic relations with Libya (libyaherald.com)

Libya must fulfil certain preconditions before flights to Italy resume by September – but flights could resume earlier (libyaherald.com)

State recognised militia and Libyan Army clash in central Tripoli (libyaherald.com)

Dutch embassy assesses security standards, rules and procedures at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport (libyaherald.com)

Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority and Egypt Air inspection team visits Mitiga, Misrata and Sebha airports to assess readiness for flight resumption (libyaherald.com)

After 8 year hiatus, Egypt Air cargo flight arrives at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport (libyaherald.com)

Italian Civil Aviation audit team inspects Tripoli’s Mitiga airport (libyaherald.com)

Maltese Civil Aviation inspects Benghazi’s Benina airport for possible launch of Medavia flights (libyaherald.com)

Berniq Airways adds fifth aircraft to its fleet – to increase destination (libyaherald.com)

Berniq Airlines to start flights to Dubai soon (libyaherald.com)

Berniq Airways to receive third aircraft within days (libyaherald.com)

Berniq Airlines’ first Airbus A320 arrives in Benghazi’s Benina airport (libyaherald.com)

Benghazi’s Benina airport opens its new Berniq terminal – a BOT project financed by the private sector Bank of Commerce and Development (libyaherald.com)

Flights between Crete and Benghazi expected to start soon (libyaherald.com)

Medsky to start flights from Tripoli to Malta (libyaherald.com)

Medsky Airways adds a second Airbus 320 to its fleet (libyaherald.com)

Malta-based Libyan carrier Med Sky to start chartered flights from Misrata to Malta from 5 May (libyaherald.com)

Medsky flies first Berlin to Misrata flight (libyaherald.com)