Emirates to support Libya's new revitalisation programme

Emirates airline re-affirmed its commitment to Libya with the announcement of an increase in services later this year.

From October 1, Emirates de-linked Tripoli from its Dubai-Malta-Tripoli-Dubai routing and instead is operating non-stop flights to Tripoli using a Boeing 777-200.

Emirates is now flying from Dubai to Malta four times weekly via Larnaca, Cyprus. Passengers from Malta now have the option to travel to Cyprus and/or onwards to Dubai either on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays or Sundays on an A330-200.

From October 30 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 a week.

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

Emirates is the official airline carrier for the exhibition, which is organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and 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 UAE-based companies a gateway to capitalise on 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 for commercial operations Africa, said: "I would like to thank the Government of Libya, the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority and other concerned entities for giving Emirates the opportunity to operate additional frequencies.

"Emirates is committed to supporting the Libyan government's programme of economic revitalisation. 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 for cargo commercial operations, said: "Emirates SkyCargo has helped promote trade and distribution between Libya and countries in the Middle East, Europe, the Far East and Australasia via the airline's hub in Dubai. The new services will offer 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 UAE's ninth largest market for imports. 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.

From next Sunday, Emirates will offer 1,426 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 Dubai International Airport at 9 a.m., arriving in Tripoli at 1.40 p.m. Return flight EK 748 leaves Tripoli on the same days at 3.20 p.m., arriving in Dubai at 11 p.m.

The additional services will be operated on an Airbus 330-200.