Speaking at the Libya International Aviation Forum and Exhibition held in Tripoli from 3-4 November, aviation expert Fathi al-Mismari said all of Libya’s perceived aviation advantages add up to nothing if Libya fails in lifting the EU flight embargo.
He said this is where the country’s aviation sector needs to focus its attention and work on. The aviation sector needs to its safety strategy – then it can build an aviation strategy.
Referring to the recent spate of new chartered flight services to European destinations (Malta, Rome, Milan, Athens, Madrid, Dusseldorf and Paris) by two privately-owned carriers (MedSky and Libyan Express), the mushrooming of private sector carriers and the planned launch by the government of a new airliner (Libya United Airlines), the imminent reopening of Tripoli International Airport, he said building such a strategy goes well beyond launching flight services to destinations or establishing airliners. He said Libya needs to rebuild its whole aviation system.
Training centre with Airbus?
Mismari said Libya’s aviation sector needs to train a new cadre of aviation staff to replace the retiring cadres. To this end, he recommended establishing a training academy in partnership with a leading international market leader such as Airbus. (The Tripoli government is in actual discussions with Boeing about training). He said establishing a centre with European partners buys Libya the needed international accreditation that it would need.
Establishing aircraft maintenance centres
He said Libya also needs to invest in aircraft maintenance centres – again recommending doing this with a European partner. (The privately-owned Libyan Express is discussing with its Maltese and European partners establishing a maintenance centre in Misrata).
PPP investment in airports
With regards to airports, Mismari said Libya needs to invest in developing its airports through a Public Public Partnership (PPP) model. These investments should include building a whole airport complex – an industry - which includes freezones to facilitate cargo. This would enable Libya to become a cargo hub welcoming the leading international cargo brands such as DHL etc.
He said such a sector could contribute 6 to 8 percent of Libya’s GDP and could create around 35,000 new jobs.