Italy and Libya Deepen Aviation Ties with New Routes
Italy and Libya are strengthening their aviation links with new agreements and the planned resumption of direct flights between Rome and Benghazi. The move follows a high-level meeting between Pierluigi Di Palma, president of Italy’s National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), and Belkasem Haftar, president of the Libyan Reconstruction Fund. Their discussions resulted in the announcement that ITA Airways will launch a flight from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Benghazi Benina International Airport (BEN) in June 2025.
This new route builds on a memorandum of cooperation signed by ENAC and the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority in late 2023. Under the terms of the memorandum, up to 14 passenger flights and seven cargo flights per week will be permitted between Italy and Libya, fostering increased connectivity and economic growth between the two nations. Di Palma noted that the Rome-Benghazi route confirms the key role of air transport as a tool for connecting people and creating mutual opportunities for economic and commercial development. He emphasized that the new service is designed to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries.
Despite the positive developments, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) continues to advise against flights over Libyan airspace due to ongoing security concerns. The agency’s Conflict Zone Information Bulletin, which was issued in October 2024, remains in effect until the end of April. However, exceptions exist for flights destined for coastal airports if specific safety conditions are met. Such conditions require that approaches be made from the sea, operations be fully coordinated with local authorities and air traffic control, and airlines conduct comprehensive risk assessments prior to operating flights. These guidelines allowed ITA to resume Rome-Tripoli services on January 12, as Tripoli Mitiga International Airport’s coastal location enables safe approaches over the Mediterranean Sea. Benghazi Benina International Airport, also a coastal facility, is potentially eligible under the same parameters.
OAG Schedules Analyser data indicates that three routes currently connect Benghazi to Europe. Belavia operates a weekly flight from Minsk, Belarus, while Libyan carrier Berniq Airways and Turkish Airlines serve Istanbul Airport with six and three flights per week, respectively. Turkish Airlines, which resumed services to Benghazi in January, marks its return to the route after a decade-long absence, demonstrating renewed confidence in the market.
In addition to the planned Rome-Benghazi flights, discussions between ENAC and the Libyan Reconstruction Fund have also included proposals for a Milan-Benghazi route. This additional service could launch during the summer 2025 season, further expanding the air links between Italy and Libya. The new routes are expected to provide passengers with more travel options and boost economic ties, as both countries look to capitalize on growing demand for international travel.
The aviation partnership between Italy and Libya is viewed as a strategic development to enhance connectivity and promote tourism and trade. By leveraging the memorandum of cooperation and adhering to safety guidelines, both nations aim to establish a robust and secure network of air services that benefit passengers, businesses, and governments alike. As preparations continue, stakeholders in both countries are optimistic that these new routes will pave the way for a revitalized bilateral relationship in the aviation sector.
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