Italy & Libya to Reconnect With Direct Flights After 10 Years From September 2023
After a decade-long hiatus caused by the unrest in Libya, direct flights with Italy will be reinstated starting from September 2023.
The resumption of direct flights signifies a positive step towards reestablishing connections, fostering bilateral relations, and promoting various aspects of cooperation between Libya and Italy, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
A unity government, which governs the eastern part of Libya, has agreed with the Italian government regarding the resumption of direct flights.
Through a Twitter post, Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah expressed his gratitude towards Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her involvement in the deal. He also acknowledged the efforts of the transportation sector and the committee responsible for facilitating this breakthrough.
“The Italian government informed us of its decision to lift its air embargo imposed on Libyan civil aviation ten years ago so that flights will resume next September. Thank Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. I value the efforts of the transportation sector and the committee formed for that, and everyone who contributed to achieving this breakthrough. To facilitate the movement of our citizens,”
Flights between Italy and Libya were suspended in 2014 due to the chaotic situation in the country. The instability in Libya stemmed from the aftermath of the 2011 killing of dictator Moammar Gaddafi by Libyan rebels with the support of NATO intervention.
In the following years, Libya faced significant challenges as the country descended into a state of disarray and came under the control of various armed groups.
As the situation in Libya deteriorated and the country descended into chaos, Italy and other European countries implemented restrictions and banned Libyan flights from their airspace. These measures were taken due to security concerns and the unstable conditions prevailing in Libya at that time.
During the past decade, direct flights from Libya were limited and primarily focused on neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Tunisia. In addition, some flights were available to other Middle Eastern countries like Jordan.
Furthermore, Italy has been one of the countries at the forefront of migration routes across the Mediterranean Sea, and they have implemented various policies and agreements with Libyan authorities to address migration flows.
In the past, the country also has provided financial and technical support to Libyan authorities to enhance their capacity to intercept and prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
According to a report issued by the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya on June 2022, migrants in Libya faced grave human rights abuses, including murder, enforced disappearance, torture, enslavement, sexual violence, and other inhumane acts in connection with their arbitrary detention.
Meanwhile, through a statement released in September of last year, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that, based on the preliminary assessment conducted by their office, the crimes committed against migrants in Libya potentially qualify as crimes against humanity and war crimes.