Italian civil aviation delegation arrives in Tripoli to assess aviation standards
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Director General of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority arrived in the Libyan capital Tripoli to examine and assess the results of the rehabilitation and efficiency improvement plan implemented by the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority since 2022.
The visit by the Italian delegation, composed of a number of specialists in the field of air safety control, which is taking place in coordination with the Commission of the European Union (EU), is taking place to ascertain the extent to which the Libyan Aviation Authority's rehabilitation plan meets the requirements and conditions for lifting the aviation ban imposed by the EU, according to a press release issued on Sunday by the Authority.
It stated that the visit will last 5 days, during which the delegation will carry out a full examination of the systems and legislation, the qualifications and effectiveness of the technical staff, the work programmes and the methods of monitoring and auditing the airlines. It will also enquire about the effectiveness of the digital transformation system in monitoring and achieving aviation safety.
The Libyan Civil Aviation Authority has indicated that the European Commission is organising an important meeting at its headquarters in Brussels this month, with the aim of discussing the corrective measures taken by the Authority in response to the requirements for lifting the air embargo, and deciding whether these measures are sufficient to launch the procedures for lifting the embargo.
The report of the Italian team's mission will be of particular importance at the next meeting of the European Commission on the Libyan dossier, as it is the last practical assessment to be carried out by a specialised European institution, the statement said.
The Libyan Aviation Authority also indicated that the European team will provide a special briefing to the Minister of Transport on the preliminary results of its mission.
In 2014, the European Union banned all Libyan airlines from its airspace, following the deterioration of security in the country in the wake of clashes between rival armed groups that led to the burning of Tripoli international airport and several aircraft.
However, since the installation of the Government of National Unity in 2021, following the successful conclusion of the political process under the aegis of the UN, Libya has entered a phase of normalisation which has allowed the return of embassies and international diplomatic missions, as well as the resumption of certain air links with Tunisia, Egypt, Malta and Italy.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/SOC/BBA/MA 3March2025
