Air France provides its expertise in the resumption of air operations in Libya

December 21, 2011 flight2000it

Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines have signed maintenance agreements with AFI KLM E&MAir France is offering its expertise in the resumption of air operations in Libya by helping Afriqyiah Airways and Libyan Airlines return their aircraft to service, aircraft which were damaged during the fighting that took place there in recent months. Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, with the support of Air France Consulting, has signed two maintenance agreements with Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines.

The arrival in Toulouse of two aircraft from Benghazi and Tripoli marks an important step towards the operational implementation of these agreements, which have received the decisive support of the French Government.

Afriqiyah Airways has reaffirmed its confidence in AFI KLM E&M after the agreement was put on hold for over a year because of political unrest, and reactivated the contract signed in 2008. AFI KLM E&M will be in charge of the support pool and the repair of equipment of the airline’s fleet of A320s and A330s. This contract has also been extended to maintenance visits of the same aircraft.

Libyan Airlines and AFI KLM E&M have signed a 5-year contract covering the support facilities (pool access and repairs) and maintenance visits for seven of the Libyan airline’s A320-200s (3 on order) and two ATR 42-500s.

“Air France is very honoured to be associating its expertise and knowledge with the resumption of air operations of these two Libyan airlines” declared Franck Terner, Vice President Air France Industries.

Concerning the operation of Air France flights to Tripoli, the airline intends to operate a scheduled service to the Libyan capital as soon as the required safety and operational conditions are met.