First Italian airline touches down at Mitiga

An ITA Airways flight from Rome landed at Mitiga International Airport this morning, marking the return of scheduled flights between Libya and Italy after more than a decade.

Several Italian civil aviation officials were welcomed at the terminal building, where Transport Minister Mohamed Al-Shahoubi hosted a reception ceremony marking the occasion.

“Today proves our airports meet all international safety requirements,” Al-Shahoubi told reporters. “This is just the beginning – we expect to welcome airlines from Morocco, Qatar and Saudi Arabia by mid-2025.”

The Transport Ministry confirmed ITA Airways will soon add direct flights to Misrata and Benghazi. Currently, only charter operator Medsky flies between Tripoli and Rome.

Al-Shahoubi said his ministry is ready to grant ITA Airways additional rights to connect Libyan airports with other European Union destinations, as part of ongoing efforts to lift the EU ban on Libyan-registered aircraft.

The ban has prevented Libyan airlines from flying to EU countries. Today’s flight signals progress in meeting European aviation safety standards, according to ministry officials.