After nearly a decade of suspension due to security concerns, Morocco and Libya plan to resume direct air and sea connections in 2025, according to the special website airlinegeeks.com.
On December 25, 2024, the Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, met the Libyan Minister of Communications, Salem Al-Shahoubi, in Rabat. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 29th extraordinary session of the General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization.
The ministers highlighted the strong ties of fraternity and collaboration between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Libya. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the transport and related sectors.
It should be recalled that air traffic between the two countries has been suspended since February 16, 2015, following security restrictions imposed by the Moroccan authorities, in particular the ban on entry into Moroccan airspace by Libyan aircraft. .
+ Restoration of full operational capacity of Tripoli International Airport +
During the meeting, Libya reiterated its strong interest in reestablishing air links between the two nations. Minister Al-Shahoubi stressed that the restoration of these roads would not only improve connectivity, but also boost economic exchanges and strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.
An important step towards the resumption of air connections took place on February 14, 2024, when a delegation from Royal Air Maroc (RAM) visited Mitiga International Airport near Tripoli, Libya, to assess the conditions of security and operational measures.
Minister Qaiouh expressed Morocco’s desire to advance this shared transport program. Both sides agreed to intensify technical committee meetings to explore practical measures to strengthen collaboration and facilitate the exchange of expertise in the transport sector.
Despite the progress, Morocco, like several other countries, remains cautious about fully restoring air traffic with Libya. Security concerns persist despite Libya’s peace deal signed in October 2020 and improvements to its airport infrastructure. Since the fall of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libyan travelers have often had to transit through Tunis, Istanbul or Cairo to access flights to Europe.
A milestone was reached on October 28, 2024, as Libyan Express successfully completed a test flight with its Beech 200 King Air aircraft, landing and taking off from the secondary runway of Tripoli International Airport.
The event, the first of its kind in a decade, marks a crucial step forward as Libya prepares to restore full operational capacity to Tripoli International Airport. Once the main gateway to Libya, the airport had been largely dormant for almost a decade due to extensive damage suffered during the 2014 civil war.
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