Royal Jordanian and Qatar Airways will resume flights to and from Libya this month and discussions are ongoing with Saudi Airlines to resume their flights, Transport Minister Mohamed Shahoubi confirmed.
Shahoubi made the confirmation during a meeting Sunday with Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba to follow up on several air aviation files, the Tripoli based Libyan Transport Ministry revealed.
The meeting was attended by the head of the Civil Aviation Authority, Mohamed Shalibak, the Director of the Airports Authority, Mohamed Bait Al-Mal, the head of the Transportation Projects Implementation Agency, Sami Al-Absh, and the Minister of State for Public Affairs in the Council of Ministers, Adel Jumaa, and several department directors at the Airports Authority.
Following up on plan to activate local airports
The meeting, the Tripoli government media page reported, was devoted to following up on the Airports Authority’s plan to activate local airports, providing the necessary equipment for them, and following up on the Civil Aviation Authority’s executive procedures regarding opening new international destinations and implementing the requirements of the ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization – to lift the freeze on Libyan airports.
Implementing terminal at Tripoli International Airport
The meeting also discussed the timetable for implementing the passenger terminal at Tripoli International Airport, additional work for operation, and an inventory of the work carried out in the main project for implementing the airport.
Working with internationals to lift air embargo
Shalibak stressed that the Civil Aviation Authority is working professionally with international organizations with the aim of implementing international requirements for lifting the air embargo, and contracting with a number of international companies to supply and install navigational assistance systems and stations for air navigation centers, which will contribute to lifting the embargo.
TIA progressing well?
Al-Abash also presented an update on the timetable for implementing the passenger station with all its annexes and the civil and electrical works to begin work, stressing that the work is progressing well.
Aldabaiba orders action
During the meeting, Aldabaiba stressed the need to provide the necessary equipment to local airports in accordance with the requirements of the Aviation Authority to facilitate the movement of citizens between Libyan cities.
He directed the need to focus on completing the passenger terminal at Tripoli International Airport according to the approved schedule. After reviewing the designs and technical studies, he directed the start of contractual procedures to implement the main project to implement Tripoli International Airport, which has been stalled since.
Aldabaiba also directed the Civil Aviation Authority to communicate with organizations related to lifting the ban on the Libyan state, and to work on opening new international flight destinations.
Comment – Tripoli International Airport project likely to be delayed due to lack of payment
It will be recalled that in May 2023, and as reported by this publication, the previous Italian ambassador, Giuseppe Buccino, had stated that Tripoli International Airport would be completed ‘‘sometime next year’’.
The statement came during his visit to the airport construction site. The project is being implemented by the Italian AENEAS Consortium.
At the Tripoli International Airport construction site of the AENEAS Consortium, the Italian embassy in Tripoli reported that the ambassador ‘‘verified the encouraging progress of the works begun last February’’.
Once completed, it added, ‘‘the airport will be able to serve over 6 and a half million passengers a year, thus representing a bridge for Libya towards the Mediterranean and the world’’.
However, over the last few months, several sources closely connected with the project have indicated to Libya Herald that it is very likely that the airport will not be ready in 2024.
When pressed for the causes of the delay, the sources explained that the Tripoli authorities are not transferring payments on time. The sources indicated that the AENEAS Consortium is only implementing works according to the payments it receives.
Tripoli International Airport expected to be completed in 2024: Italian ambassador (libyaherald.com)
Critical projects must be completed: Minister of Transport | (libyaherald.com)
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