Afriqiyah resumes flights to Libya despite Foreign Office warning
Afriqiyah Airways has resumed flights from Gatwick to Tripoli, capital of Libya, despite the Foreign Office’s continued advice to British citizens not to travel to the country.
The three times a week service will operate on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays on an Airbus A320.
British Airways returned to Libya on May 1, however the Foreign Office is still warning against all but essential travel to Tripoli. It is warning against all travel to some other parts of Libya.
Gatwick head of airline relations Matthew Wood said: "We are delighted to welcome Afriqiyah Airways and its passengers back to Gatwick today and working together again to provide what we expect will be a popular route."
Afriqiyah Airways general manager in the UK Khaled Lazumi said: "I am very pleased that this day has finally come. It has been a very difficult year for us all but this day marks the dawn of a new relationship between the new Free Libya and the UK.
"I am very proud of my team who have worked hard to make this happen in this period of uncertainty. We would like to thank Gatwick Airport and our business partners for their unwavering support. Similarly our travel agents and friends in the British travel industry have also supported us well and we look forward to renewing this relationship and we look forward to a prosperous future for both our countries."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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