After more than a decade - ICAO lifts previous aviation safety warnings on Libyan airspace

Libya's Tripoli based Minister of Transport, Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, announced today that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has ''lifted previous warnings regarding aviation safety in Libyan airspace—warnings that had been in place since 2013 and 2015, after more than a decade."

Here is Minister Shahoubi’s statement in full:

"Today, we announce an important decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to lift previous warnings regarding aviation safety in our airspace—warnings that had been in place since 2013 and 2015, after more than a decade."

·       This decision represents a significant national achievement in the process of restoring Libyan airspace to its proper place on the international air navigation map.

·        It serves as the culmination of efforts made by the government, in coordination with international organizations, to develop the aviation sector and enhance safety and security standards.

·       Over the past few years, we have worked on developing airport infrastructure and modernizing navigation systems to restore the international community's confidence in Libya’s aviation sector.

·       We will launch a programme to promote our airspace to international airlines and highlight these developments, encouraging carriers to resume direct flights to Libya and utilize the Libyan air corridor, which serves as a vital link between Europe and Africa.

·       We anticipate that this decision will contribute to an increase in international overflights, stimulate air traffic, and boost associated revenues.

·       This development presents a key opportunity to foster economic, tourism, and investment activity, while promoting Libya as a destination for business and investment.

·       We will continue to work with the relevant international authorities to fulfil the requirements for lifting the remaining restrictions on Libyan airlines.

·       This achievement marks the beginning of a new phase of work aimed at developing the civil aviation sector and restoring Libya’s regional and international role in air transport.