Turkish Airlines resumes passenger flights to Libya after ten years | Economy

According to Turkish Airlines, flights will operate three times a week to the Libyan capital Tripoli. The first flight was last Thursday. Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Eksi says he is pleased with the step and says that there are historic ties between Turkey and Libya.

Libya has been in turmoil since a 2011 uprising that ousted dictator Moammar Gaddafi. In 2014, the country split into an eastern faction in Benghazi and the UN-backed government in Tripoli in the west of the country.

Ankara supports the government in Tripoli. The Turkish Foreign Minister announced last month that Turkey wants to reopen the consulate in Benghazi soon and that the rival sides should enter into talks to end the conflict.

Turkish Airlines is also considering launching flights to Benghazi and the city of Misrata, which is located east of Tripoli, in the future. It is the first European airline to resume regular passenger flights between Libya and Europe.

The Netherlands has a red travel advice for Libya. According to the government, it is too dangerous to travel to the country because of the violence and the threat of terrorist attacks. The danger of landmines and unexploded ammunition is also pointed out.