Emirates to support Libya's new revitalization programme

From 1st October, Emirates will de-link Tripoli from its current Dubai-Malta-Tripoli-Dubai routing and instead operate dedicated, non-stop flights to Tripoli using a Boeing 777-200 and, from 30th October the airline will 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.

With the final lifting of sanctions, Libya is presenting U.A.E-based businesses with excellent opportunities for economic co-operation. The first in a long series of initiatives is the 'U.A.E in Libya' exhibition to be held in Tripoli from 27th-30th November.

Emirates is the official airline carrier for the exhibition which is organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce & 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.

Offering U.A.E-based companies a gateway to capitalise Libya's new era of growth and development, the exhibition will bring together oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, tourism, real estate, IT and Telecommunication companies, with Libya's most influential government bodies in a highly interactive forum.

Nasser bin Kherbash, Emirates' Senior Vice-President Commercial Operations Africa said: 'I would like to thank the Government of Libya, the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority (LYCAA) and other concerned entities for giving Emirates the opportunity to operate additional frequencies. This comes at a very appropriate time when Libya is opening up its economy and inviting foreign investment.'

Mr. Kherbash added: 'Emirates is committed to supporting the Libyan government's programme of economic revitalization. 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.'

Peter Sedgley, Emirates' Vice President Cargo Commercial Operations said: 'Emirates SkyCargo has helped promote trade and distribution between Libya and countries in the Middle East, Europe, Far East and Australasia via the airline's hub in Dubai. The new services will offer our customers in Libya and their trading partners across our network significant additional capacity, and add momentum to the trade process.'

Emirates SkyCargo carries tools, equipment and spare parts for the oil and gas industry, mobile phones and other electronic items to Tripoli, and helps export its oil-equipment and seafood.

Libya is U.A.E's ninth largest market for imports. In 2003, the non-oil trade between the two countries stood at USD 426 million. Prepared foodstuff, chemical products, base metals, textiles and textile articles were the top five imports into Libya while precious and semi-precious stones, natural and cultured pearls, metals and vegetable products constituted the top five exports from Libya.

Post 30th October, Emirates will offer a total of 1426 seats and 79 tonnes per week to Tripoli, representing increases of 227 per cent and 54 per cent in passenger and cargo carrying capacity.

Emirates additional flight EK747 will take off from the ultra-modern Dubai International Airport at 09:00, arriving in Tripoli at 13:40. Return flight EK 748 will depart Tripoli on the same days at 15:20, arriving in Dubai at 23:00.

The additional services will be operated by an Airbus 330-200 offering 27 Business and 251 Economy class seats as well as 14 tonnes of cargo carrying capacity.

U.A.E and Libya links:

• His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and U.A.E Minister of Defence led a business delegation to Libya at the end of 2004.

• According to statistics released by the U.A.E embassy in Tripoli, bilateral trade between the U.A.E and Libya exceeded USD 1 billion in the first quarter of 2005.

• The U.A.E-Libya trade recorded a 230 per cent increase in 2003 vis-à-vis 2000.