British Airways is to resume flights to Libya in May even though the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to the country.
BA suspended its services to Tripoli, the county’s capital, last February following the outbreak of civil war but NATO lifted its no-fly zone over the country last October and the airline has spent the past few months assessing the security risks of resuming flights.
"We are delighted to be returning to Libya," said BA chief executive Keith Williams. "Our flights to Tripoli have provided a vital economic link for many years, and it is good news for everyone that we can now restart operations."
The Foreign Office still advises against all but essential travel to Tripoli and several other parts of the country, and against all travel to the rest of Libya. This means that most travellers are unlikely to be ale to obtain insurance cover for trips to the country.
BA will fly from Heathrow to Tripoli three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, from May 1.
Alitalia, have already resumed flights to Tripoli and Air France will relaunch its services on March 27.
By Linsey McNeill
