Malta-Tripoli flights viable, with a twist

The resumption of scheduled Malta-Tripoli flights is possible despite sanctions imposed on Libya, although certain conditions would have to be observed, a European Commission official has told this newspaper.

According to a government statement, the resumption of flights between Malta and Tripoli was on the agenda during last month’s visit of Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord of Libya Fayez Al-Sarraj.

Answering questions from this newspaper, the Commission official also noted that while there was no need for Malta or Libya to notify it of these flights, all Libyan airlines were listed on the EU Air Safety List.

“The EU Air Safety List (ASL) – formerly referred to as the ‘EU blacklist’ – is a list of air carriers from non-EU countries which do not fulfil the necessary international safety standards. The carriers on the ASL are banned from operating to, in and from the EU.”

The restrictions and obligations outlined in the Libya sanctions deal with inspections of aircraft, landing, take off and overfly. They are as follows:

If there are reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo of an aircraft contains prohibited items, the member state shall inspect the aircraft and seize and dispose of such prohibited items;

Aircraft transporting cargo to and from Libya are subject to requirements of additional pre-arrival or pre-departure information for all goods brought into or out of a member state;

Member states shall deny permission for any aircraft to take off, land or overfly if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the aircraft contains prohib- ited goods.

Developments ‘expected in the coming months’ - Tourism Ministry

Contacted by this newspaper, a tourism ministry spokesperson confirmed that developments along such lines are “expected in the coming months,” adding that “the resumption of scheduled flights to and from Libya are desired by both the Maltese and Libyan governments.”

“The Ministry for Tourism is currently in discussions with the authorities in Libya on the possible introduction of scheduled flights to and from Tripoli’s Mitiga airport. Various options are currently being considered and discussed with various operators.”

Last month, Air Malta CCO Paul Sies confirmed that talks were underway on the possibility of Air Malta resuming flights between Malta and Libya. Currently, only Medavia is operating flights between Malta and Tripoli, using a turbo-prop aircraft.

Mitiga airport