August 28 - Global air charter broker Chapman Freeborn Airchartering has formed an exclusive partnership with Air Libya to place and manage an Antonov AN-26 freighter aircraft in the country.
The freighter will be based at Tripoli's Mitiga International airport on a long-term lease agreement, effective immediately.
The 5.5 tonne payload capacity AN-26 will be available for ad hoc charter requirements within Libya, to and from the European Union and North Africa.
The air charter broker expects demand for the AN-26 to be high due to its ability to land on short and unpaved runways. It also features a rear-loading door for handling large cargoes.
Chapman Freeborn plans to introduce scheduled services to connect Tripoli and Benghazi with more remote airfields in Libya, including regular services to the oil fields in the south of the country.
The partnership will provide logistics solutions in a country where few international carriers are currently willing to invest, says Chapman Freeborn. It will also give a viable alternative to sea freight routes to and from Europe that have been subject to high rates.
"We're delighted to be working in partnership with Air Libya to develop air cargo solutions in the region. Freight forwarders and energy industry clients will benefit from this cooperation which offers professional, reliable services between the country's key hubs and more remote locations," said Paul Drew, project manager, Chapman Freeborn. "Given the limited air freight and sea freight options currently available, the news of this service has been very well received so far."
