Etihad Airways is planning to launch flights to Tripoli. The Libyan capital will become the fifth North African destination for the carrier.

The Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, Mr James Hogan, said the airline was planning three flights a week to Tripoli.

“As soon as the NATO no-fly zone is lifted, the airport is declared safe and all appropriate infra-structure is in place we will be able to begin services,” he said.

The return flights, to be operated by an Airbus A330-200 with 22 Peal Business Class and 240 Coral Economy seats, should be on sale within weeks.

Mr Hogan said the proposed schedule would allow maximum connectivity over Abu Dhabi for flights from North and South Asia and the Indian Subcontinent as well as serving strong point to point traffic.

The new services would further strengthen links with Tripoli as the UAE was among the first to recognise the new government of Libya and to provide political, military and humanitarian support for the country.

Etihad has been nominated World’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards.