Ian Goold/DOHA
Libyan Arab Airlines' urgent requirement for a new 100-seat regional jet is being frustrated by US sanctions against the Gadhafi regime, according to chairman Nouh Haibba.
While still "managing to survive under sanctions", Nouh says that Libyan Arab would like to introduce a small fleet of aircraft such as the BAe 146/Avro RJ to replace its ageing Rolls-Royce Spey-powered Fokker F28s. It is prevented from doing so because the four-engined jet is powered by US-built Honeywell engines.
Nouh, a former Libyan air force pilot, was appointed six months ago, succeeding Sabri Abdallah, who is managing a new Libyan airline planning to operate R-R RB211-powered Tupolev Tu-204s available from Egypt's Air Cairo.
Libyan Arab operates pairs of Airbus A300-600s and A310s, in addition to six ageing Boeing 727s and one Boeing 707 corporate aircraft. The F28 fleet has been reduced to just two, while all 14 F27 twin-turboprops have been disposed of.
Meanwhile, airlines in the Arab region are extending a series of joint projects in an effort to enhance cost savings through collective arrangements with service providers, according to Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) officials at their recent annual meeting in Doha, Qatar.
An initial formal framework agreement covering ground-handling for nine AACO members at London Heathrow is being followed at other European airports and AACO is aiming to set up similar operations in New York and Washington DC.
AACO has also been extending joint agreements covering fuel purchase, moving out from airports in the immediate Arab region to seven other international points. Joint fuel purchasing is expected to accrue annual savings of $20 million for the nine operators involved: Egyptair, Middle East Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Royal Air Maroc, Sudan Airways, Syrian Arab Airlines, Tunis Air and Yemen Airways.
Source: Flight International
