Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, re-affirmed its commitment to Libya with the announcement of an increase in services next month. 



From October 1, the airline will delink Tripoli from its current Dubai-Malta-Tripoli-Dubai service and instead operate dedicated, non-stop flights to Tripoli using a Boeing 777-200.

From October 30 it plans to 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.

"This comes at a very appropriate time when Libya is opening up its economy and inviting foreign investment," said Nasser Bin Kharbash, Emirates senior vice-president of commercial operations in Africa

"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."

After October 30, the airline will offer a total of 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.

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

Emirates is the official airline 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. Libya is the UAE's ninth largest market for imports. In 2003, the non-oil trade between the two countries stood at $426 million (Dh1.57 billion).

According to statistics released by the UAE embassy in Tripoli, trade exceeded $1 billion (Dh3.68 billion) in the first quarter of this year.