Etihad Airways operates maiden flight to Tripoli

Etihad Airways operated its maiden flight from Abu Dhabi to Tripoli on Tuesday, the airline's first new destination of 2012. The service, which will operate three times a week, is the only direct commercial flight between the UAE and Libya's capital city. Etihad Airways' president and CEO James Hogan said: "We are delighted to launch this service to Tripoli. "This is a further step in the development of the relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Libya. Direct flights will contribute profoundly to the development of trade, investment and tourism." Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said UAE companies were increasingly turning their attention to Libya for opportunities to cooperate, invest and do business following the end of conflict in the country. Dr Aref Ali Nayed, Ambassador of Libya to the UAE. said: "We look forward to more partnerships and strategic cooperation, and the to the operation of regular flights between different cities of the UAE and Libya to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples." Hogan said in November that Etihad plans to launch flights to Tripoli this month. Hogan said the regime change in Tripoli meant there would be significant point to point traffic and strong demand for flights to the country as it rebuilds after the civil war.