Private Libyan carrier Buraq Air is intending to use its new Boeing 737-800 fleet to develop a strong international network from Tripoli in order to compete more effectively with flag-carrier Libyan Arab Airlines.
Earlier this month, the airline concluded a deal with Boeing to take three 737-800s, plus three options, for delivery from August 2006 - becoming the first Libyan carrier to acquire aircraft from Boeing since the lifting of US trade sanctions last year (Flight International 8-14 February).
Buraq Air chairman Mohamed Bubeida says he wants to move the airline into a new phase by expanding its limited international services. "We now have the support from the government which has said that, as soon as we have the new fleet, we will be allowed to fly to Europe," he says.
Today, Buraq Air operates to Aleppo in Syria and Istanbul in Turkey, but Bubeida says it intends to open at least four international routes to Europe and five to the Middle East. Buraq Air's existing operations are focused on three sectors: passenger services, cargo services and oil-field operations.
DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW / LONDON
Source: Flight International
