Emirates puts Tripoli back on its route network

Emirates Airlines has resumed its services to Tripoli.

Under the new schedule, Emirates’ four-weekly flights to Tripoli will leave Dubai every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 0925hrs and arrive at Tripoli International Airport at 1400hrs. Flights to and from Tripoli will be served by an Airbus A330-200 in a 3-class configuration offering 12 First Class, 42 Business Class and 183 Economy seats, alongside up to 15 tonnes of cargo-carrying capacity.

“In resuming our flights to Tripoli, Emirates is underlining its commitment to Libya at a time when the country is demonstrating its strength and resilience in the face of adversity,” said Jean Luc Grillet, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa.

“We have been closely monitoring the situation in Libya and feel that the time is right to re-launch our services, which will help to support business, international trade and passenger travel to and from Tripoli, as well as strengthening the country's overall infrastructure.”

Tripoli has been part of Emirates’ route network since March 2001, when services were launched with 4 flights a week. In 4th June this year, Emirates underlined its commitment to Libya with the reopening of its Tripoli town office.

The one-stop travel hub has been designed to make business and leisure travel easier and more convenient, with ticketing and reservation counters for general enquiries and dedicated counters for premium passengers, Emirates Holidays customers and travel agents. Tripoli is one of 21 destinations to which Emirates currently flies in Africa. The resumed service will be of particular benefit to passengers with connections within the GCC, Indian Subcontinent and Far East points.

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “The decision to resume flights to Libya coincides with the country gaining a semblance of political stability given the turmoil seen in 2011. Tripoli remains far and away the most business-centric and rich centre of the country and it's no surprise that Emirates wants to flying back to the Libyan capital.

“While daily services might not be on the cards straightaway, Emirates is keen to offering a variety of high and low fares for customers flying in and out of the Libyan capital, as seen by its decision to use a three-class A330-200 on the route.”

Ahmad concludes: “With Libya's own airlines under some duress, resumption of services to Tripoli will come as a welcome boon for Libyans that crave access beyond Northern Africa."