Libya Restores Air Connection with Italy After Decade-Long EU Ban

In a significant milestone for Libya’s aviation sector, a plane bound for Rome departed from Tripoli’s Mitiga airport on Saturday, marking the resumption of flights to Italy after nearly a decade-long suspension. The European Union had imposed a ban on Libyan airlines in 2014, prohibiting them from entering member states’ airspace due to the intense fighting and instability in the war-torn North African country.

The flight, operated by Libya-based Medsky Airways, signifies a crucial step toward normalizing air travel between Libya and Italy. Medsky Airways, established in 2022, now offers a twice-weekly direct connection to the Italian capital. This development follows Malta’s decision, an EU member, to allow flights to and from Libya, although the mechanism by which Medsky Airways circumvented the EU ban remains unclear.

Libya’s UN-recognized government announced the resumption of flights on social media, attributing it to “intensive government efforts to lift the European ban on Libyan civil aviation.” Successive Libyan administrations have been advocating for the ban’s removal, and this achievement represents a significant diplomatic triumph for the nation.

Notably, the ban was instituted after the “Fajr Libya” coalition, primarily comprising Islamist militias, seized Tripoli in the wake of weeks of intense fighting, resulting in substantial damage to the city’s international airport. Despite the challenges, Libya persevered, and this renewed connection with Italy stands as a testament to the nation’s resilience and determination.

While Italy and Malta have now restored flights with Libya, Rome has not officially commented on this recent development. For almost ten years, Libyans had to transit through other cities such as Tunis, Istanbul, or Cairo to reach Europe by air due to the ban. The resumption of direct flights signifies a positive step forward for Libya’s global connectivity, facilitating easier travel and fostering diplomatic ties with European nations.

The nation, rich in oil resources, has faced immense challenges since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that led to the fall and subsequent death of strongman Moamer Kadhafi. Libya remains divided between two rival administrations, one in Tripoli and the other in the eastern part of the country, led by military strongman Khalifa Haftar. Despite these complexities, the resumption of air travel with Italy offers a glimmer of hope and a potential catalyst for positive change in Libya’s future.