The privately owned carrier, Libyan Express, announced today that it is to inaugurate three new flights to European destination: Malta, Rome and Milan on 6 September.
The carrier heralded the launch as a special day and a new beginning in the skies of Europe that is opening broader horizons for Libyan travellers.
It said this is a strategic partnership uniting Libyan Express with Aeroitalia and 4Airways to offer its customers a more comfortable, exceptional travel experience and a wider range of options.
It will be recalled, and as reported at the time by Libya Herald, Libyan Express had announced in May this year that it had signed a cooperation agreement in Italy, together with Horizon Technic from the Libyan side, and ALBA Technic along with 4Airways from the Italian side. This was in a step, it had said, aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of air transport and aircraft maintenance in accordance with European standards.
Libyan Express said the agreement includes two main aspects:
- First: An agreement between Libyan Express and 4 Airways to launch an unnamed joint air route connecting Libya and Europe.
- Second: An agreement between Horizon Technic and ALBA Technic for cooperation in European EASA-certified aircraft maintenance services at Misrata Airport, contributing to the development and enhancement of the aviation maintenance sector in Libya.
Libyan Express said these agreements reflected a shared vision toward expanding international partnerships and strengthening the presence of Libyan companies within the regional and international aviation industry.
Libyan Express (IATA: LB) is a private Libyan charter airline based at Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport. It had previously specialised in tailored air services, including oil and gas industry support, VIP flights, and air ambulance services. It served domestic locations and nearby countries.
New aircraft added to fleet
It will be recalled that Libyan Express took delivery of a new addition to its fleet, a Boeing B737-400 aircraft, at Mitiga Airport in December 2024 and another Boeing 737 at Misrata Airport back in March 2023.
MedSky leads the way
These three new Libyan Express flights come in addition to the local market leader, MedSky, already operating direct charter flights to Athens, Madrid, Malta, Milano and Rome. MedSky also launched its flights to and from Dusseldorf on 17 May.
It has also announced the launch of direct flights to and from Mitiga-Paris on 17 September. It is also in negotiations with the British authorities to launch direct flights to England.
Expensive charter flight prices
While many regular travellers to and from Libyan airports are relieved that the availability of these direct flights means they avoid having to transit through the two most common transit destinations, Istanbul and Tunis, the prices of these charter flights are very expensive.
It is hoped that the entry of a new service provider to these most common destinations will introduce some competition and reduce ticket prices.
EU flight ban?
Yet, despite all these ‘‘chartered’’ flights by several carriers to several major European cities and airports, the EU still sees fit to continue its flight ban on ‘‘scheduled’’ flights between Libyan and European airports.
Ostensibly, the EU Libya flight ban is because of Libya’s instability and insecurity following the 2011 revolution.
These numerous return flights from Libya to European destinations seem to make a mockery of the continuation of the EU flight ban.