Royal Jordanian to Return to Libya

Royal Jordanian Airlines hopes to resurrect links to Libya by the end of this week, according to its President and Chief Executive Officer, Hussein Dabbas. The company suspended its operations to the country after turmoil erupted in Libya last February, but Dabbas confirms the airline is ready to resume flights from Amman to Tripoli and Banghazi “once all the necessary approvals are obtained from the concerned authorities — expected soon — and the readiness of the Libyan airports to receive flights is ensured”.

Royal Jordanian expects to return to Benghazi by the end of this week with flights to Tripoli starting immediately after. It is expected to initially offer a frequent, probably daily, schedule to accommodate the strong demand on travel between the two countries, especially on the part of businessmen, students and Jordanian workforce in Libya, as well as Libyan citizens who come to Jordan seeking medical treatment.

The carrier previously offered five weekly flights to Tripoli and two weekly flights to Benghazi before the unrest erupted in Libya, carrying an estimated 42,000 and 8,000 O&D passengers on the two routes, respectively. Libyan Airlines had also served both routes carrying around 41,000 and 13,000 O&D passengers.