Italy became the first Western country to reestablish flight routes with Libya as direct flights from Italy to the North African country resumed on Sunday after a ten-year hiatus, Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP) reported.
ITA Airways inaugurated the flight, which took off from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and landed at Mitiga Airport in Tripoli. The newly established flight route will operate two weekly flights between Rome and Tripoli.
ITA Airways is the first major Western carrier to reestablish flights to Libya since they were suspended a decade ago due to political instability in the country.
Libyan Minister of Transport Mohamed Salem al-Chahoubi stated that Libya is prepared to grant additional licenses to ITA Airways to expand its operations to other Libyan airports and destinations across the European Union.
This development follows a series of agreements signed between Libya and Italy in late October 2024, focusing on cooperation in infrastructure and other sectors.
The resumption of direct flights is seen as a step toward rebuilding economic and diplomatic ties, offering opportunities for increased collaboration and mobility between the two nations.