Doha, Qatar Airways has announced it will resume flights to the Libyan capital Tripoli from February 2. The airline will reintroduce scheduled services between Doha and Tripoli after suspending operations last year due to the political situation. The carrier had been flying to Tripoli for nine years.

Initially, the re-launched route will be served three-times-a-week, via Alexandria, with plans to increase capacity at a later date.

Qatar Airways currently flies to Libya’s north eastern Mediterranean port city of Benghazi with four flights each week, direct from Doha.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said reviving the Tripoli flights, now that the political situation had eased, was a welcome boost to the airline’s operations helping meet demand to and from the Libyan capital.

“Libya is an important market for us and it was unfortunate that unfolding events there had affected operations on safety grounds of all airlines flying to the country,” he said.

“We are delighted to be going back to Tripoli shortly and provide and help revive the much-needed air transport system in the country after the difficulties of the past few months.” 

Qatar Airways will operate the Tripoli route with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration, offering 12 seats in First Class and 132 in Economy.

Aside from Tripoli, Benghazi is a major economic centre and a key destination for trade and exports with Libya’s second largest city home to many industries, including oil refining, food processing, cement production and tuna fishing.

The Doha – Tripoli schedules, with effect from 2 February 2012 are:- Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays

• Depart Doha    QR510 at 0705 hrs, arrive Tripoli at 1400 hrs via Alexandria
• Depart Tripoli QR511 at 1500 hrs, arrive Doha at 2210 hrs via Alexandria