Emirates, one of the world’s fastest
growing airlines, re-affirmed its commitment to Libya, with the announcement of an increase in
services later this year. From 1st October, Emirates will de-link Tripoli from its current
Dubai-Malta-Tripoli-Dubai routing and instead operate dedicated, non-stop
flights to Tripoli using a Boeing 777-200 and, from 30th October the airline
will add two extra flights per week to the Libyan capital. Operating every Monday and Wednesday, the additional flights will boost
Emirates’services to Tripoli to five flights per week. 

With the final lifting of sanctions, Libya is presenting U.A.E-based
businesses with excellent opportunities for economic co-operation. The first
in a long series of initiatives is the ‘U.A.E in Libya’ exhibition to be
held in Tripoli from 27th-30th November.

 

Emirates is the official airline carrier for the exhibition which is
organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jebel Ali Free Zone
Authority, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM); and
supported by the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce and the Tripoli International
Fairgrounds Authority. 

 

Offering U.A.E-based companies a gateway to capitalise Libya’s new era of
growth and development, the exhibition will bring together oil and gas,
pharmaceuticals, tourism, real estate, IT and Telecommunication companies,
with Libya’s most influential government bodies in a highly interactive
forum.

 

Nasser bin Kherbash, Emirates’ Senior Vice-President Commercial Operations
Africa said: “I would like to thank the Government of Libya, the Libyan
Civil Aviation Authority (LYCAA) and other concerned entities for giving
Emirates the opportunity to operate additional frequencies. This comes at a
very appropriate time when Libya is opening up its economy and inviting
foreign investment.”

 

Mr. Kherbash added: “Emirates is committed to supporting the Libyan
government’s programme of economic revitalization. Emirates’ additional
services will boost air links between the two countries and will also open
up a worldwide network of 70-plus destinations to Libyan traders and
businessmen, keen to find new markets for their local products and
services.”

 

Peter Sedgley, Emirates’ Vice President Cargo Commercial Operations said:
“Emirates SkyCargo has helped promote trade and distribution between Libya
and countries in the Middle East, Europe, Far East and Australasia via the
airline’s hub in Dubai. The new services will offer our customers in Libya
and their trading partners across our network significant additional
capacity, and add momentum to the trade process.”

 

Emirates SkyCargo carries tools, equipment and spare parts for the oil and
gas industry, mobile phones and other electronic items to Tripoli, and helps
export its oil-equipment and seafood. 

 

Libya is U.A.E’s ninth largest market for imports. In 2003, the non-oil
trade between the two countries stood at USD 426 million. Prepared
foodstuff, chemical products, base metals, textiles and textile articles
were the top five imports into Libya while precious and semi-precious
stones, natural and cultured pearls, metals and vegetable products
constituted the top five exports from Libya. 

 

Post 30th October, Emirates will offer a total of 1426 seats and 79 tonnes
per week to Tripoli, representing increases of 227 per cent and 54 per cent
in passenger and cargo carrying capacity.

 

Emirates additional flight EK747 will take off from the ultra-modern Dubai
International Airport at 09:00, arriving in Tripoli at 13:40. Return flight
EK 748 will depart Tripoli on the same days at 15:20, arriving in Dubai at
23:00.

 

The additional services will be operated by an Airbus 330-200 offering 27
Business and 251 Economy class seats as well as 14 tonnes of cargo carrying
capacity.
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