Newsletters
Dubai's government-owned airline flydubai announced it will begin direct scheduled service to Benghazi, Libya next month, becoming the first UAE national carrier to operate flights to the eastern Libyan city's Benina International Airport.
Flights between Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport and Benghazi will begin June 17, operating three times weekly, according to an announcement from the Dubai government's press office. The service marks a notable step in aviation connectivity between the Gulf and Libya's east, a region that has been largely isolated from mainstream Gulf air routes.
Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said the airline had been "scaling up operations with a continued focus on adding new routes and frequencies," adding that "the strength, resilience and agility of the UAE's aviation ecosystem" had allowed the carrier to "explore new and emerging markets such as Libya."
The Benghazi launch comes as eastern Libya undergoes an accelerating push to expand its aviation infrastructure. A $1.3 billion airport project, part of the eastern-based government's Vision 2030 development plan, is under construction and slated for completion later this year. The facility, being developed by Libya's National Development Agency, is designed to handle 15 million passengers annually and will feature the longest runway in North Africa at 3.8 kilometers.
Libya's airspace has also seen a broader revival, with international carriers including Air France, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines now using Libyan corridors for overflight routes connecting Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting growing confidence in the country's aviation environment after years of restricted access.
The new Benghazi service will be offered through the established flydubai-Emirates codeshare arrangement, giving travelers single-ticket itineraries, through-checked baggage, and connections into both carriers' broader networks. Return economy fares from Dubai start at 4,500 dirhams, while economy fares from Benghazi start at $800.
Flydubai, founded by the Government of Dubai in 2008, has grown to serve more than 130 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Its partnership with Emirates, Dubai's flagship long-haul carrier, has become central to the emirate's aviation model, allowing the budget carrier to function as a feeder into a global hub network.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
