• Agreement allows 14 weekly passenger flights plus cargo
• Move supports Libya’s aviation recovery after years of disruption

Libya and Algeria signed a preliminary air transport agreement on Sunday, along with a memorandum of understanding to resume flights between the two countries.

The deal allows designated carriers from each side to operate up to 14 passenger flights per week, in addition to cargo services.

“The return of international flights is a significant boost to Libya’s aviation market, given the scale of the international network at Houari Boumediene International Airport, and is a key driver of economic activity between the two countries,” the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority said.

The agreement comes as Libya seeks to revive its aviation sector, which has been weakened since the political crisis began in 2011. Many airlines withdrew from the country, forcing several airports to close, while major hubs such as Tripoli have continued to operate at reduced capacity. Direct flights from Libya have also been subject to a European Commission ban since 2014.

As the security situation has gradually improved, the country has launched a series of measures to restore air traffic. These include investments in airport security, the gradual easing of restrictions, and air service agreements signed with Turkish Airlines and operators from the United Arab Emirates in 2024.

In February 2025, the transport ministry said more than 1,500 flights were operating each month through Libyan airspace. The recovery was partly supported by an audit conducted by the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at Misrata and Mitiga airports, which authorities said produced positive results.

Airlines have also gradually resumed operations. Buraq Air, previously one of the country’s leading private carriers, signed an agreement with Airbus last November to acquire ten A320neo aircraft as it resumes operations.

Despite these advances, several challenges remain to ensure a sustained recovery in Libya’s air traffic. Political stability, continued compliance with international safety standards, and the capacity of infrastructure to handle rising traffic remain key factors.

Henoc Dossa