Air Malta will be resuming flights to Libya on November 28, the airline announced yesterday.

The airline will fly to Tripoli international airport three times a week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

A technical team this week flew to Libya for the second time to scrutinise the safety requirements at the airports.

Air Malta said the decision was taken following recommendations by this team of experts in flight operations, safety and security, engineering, ground and airport operations, regulatory and commercial affairs.

In a statement the airline’s chief executive Peter Davies said Air Malta had been looking forward to the resumption of services to Libya.

“The Tripoli service is positive news to the Maltese and Libyan business communities as it will strengthen the links and facilitate the movement of both passengers and cargo between the two countries,” he said.

Air Malta intends to increase the number of services to Libya as demand picks up and tickets will be go sale on November 22.

Last week a spokesman for the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprise – GRTU, Mario Debono, said Air Malta was the biggest hurdle to local businessmen with interests in Libya.

He complained that other airlines like Alitalia and Turkish Airlines had already begun operating from Tripoli.

Air Malta had said it had an important checklist to clear before it could decide to fly.