Libya’s new Ambassador to the European Union, Jalal Al-Ashi, and the Director-General of the European Commission’s department for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), Henrik Holyoli discussed ways to lift the EU’s ban on Libyan Airlines.
Al-Ashi said that the meeting, which was held in Brussels, “focused on lifting the ban on Libyan flights, meeting European requirements and standards, and Libya’s participation in the meeting of transport ministers from the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).”
In November, the Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hwaij met with French Ambassador to Libya, Mostafa Mihraje and urged the return of Air France to Libya.
Many neighbouring countries have resumed flying with Libya, such as Tunisia and Egypt, but the European Union, except Malta, continues to refuse direct flights with Libya.
In April 2022, the EU stated that it will continue to prevent Libyan planes from entering its airspace. This decision was made due to fears that the Libyan authorities will not be able to guarantee the safety of planes, and cited the continuing clashes between the warring parties.
The list included measures to ban 90 airlines in 15 countries, including 11 African countries. The ban also included companies in the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and other countries.
The EU has imposed a ban on all Libyan airlines in European airspace since 2014, over safety concerns.
In January 2022, the European Commission renewed its ban on Libyan airlines. The measure covers all airlines from Libya, including Afriqiyah Airways, Libyan Airlines, Buraq Air, Ghadames Air Transport, Global Aviation and Service Group, Air Libya, and Petro Air.