Air Malta flights to Benghazi will today operate as scheduled, after the last two were cancelled on growing fears of violence in the Libyan city.

Air Malta, which operates flights twice weekly to Benina International Airport, cancelled its service last Thursday and on Tuesday this week due to “safety concerns”.

Passengers booked on the flights were re-routed for free to Tripoli.

But an airline spokesman yesterday told The Times that the flight to Benghazi at 4.30pm today would operate as scheduled. The aeroplane will return to Malta at 8.15pm.

“Air Malta is constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation in Benghazi.

“Based on the latest information gathered from various sources including its representatives in Libya, we arein a position to operate Thursday’s flight to the city,” he said.

“In the coming days the airline will continue to monitor and review its operations to Benghazi.

“While Air Malta regrets any inconvenience caused due to its recent cancellation of flights, the airline will always place the safety and security of its staff and customers as its highest priority.”

Last week, UK, German and Dutch nationals were asked by their governments to evacuate Benghazi following a “specific threat to Westerners”.

Over the weekend, Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Zammit Dimech reiterated that at this stage, Maltese living in the city – estimated to be about 10 – were also being asked to be cautious.

Maltese businessmen in Benghazi said they were worried there would be a repetition of the eight-month crisis that started in February 2011 and ended with the fall and death of the Libyan dictator.­­­­­­