The Tripoli based Ministry of Transport reported today that its Minister, Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, received at his Tripoli office today the French Ambassador, Thierry Vallat.
The meeting was attended by the Undersecretary for Air Transport Affairs, the Head of the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Director of the Ministry’s International Cooperation Office.
The Ministry reported that the Minister emphasized the deep-rooted relations between Libya and France, highlighting the importance of strengthening them by boosting diplomatic and commercial presence in Tripoli and involving French companies in government-planned development projects.
Call for support in lifting the EU Libya flight ban
Discussions also addressed the aviation sector; the Minister called for support to lift the ban preventing Libyan airlines from entering European airspace and advocated for the return of French airlines to operate from Libyan airports, as well as the establishment of training and maintenance centres.
Importance of issuing French visas locally
Furthermore, the Minister underscored the significant impact that streamlined European visa procedures would have on the viability of air traffic between the two nations, stressing the importance of issuing visas locally rather than through third countries.
Necessary safety and aviation assessments and audits to be conducted
For his part, according to the Ministry, the Ambassador expressed his keen interest in visiting Tripoli to meet with civil aviation specialists and conduct the necessary assessments and audits to encourage French airlines to resume operations at Libyan airports.
The Ministry said this meeting is part of its efforts to enhance international cooperation and open new opportunities for global airlines, thereby supporting the state's plans to reintegrate Libya into the international transport network.
Libya to Paris flights launched
It will be recalled that the Libyan owned carrier, MedSky, launched Paris flights to and from Tripoli and Benghazi last week.
EASA Extends Libya Flight Ban Until January 2027