Libya Daily 19 June, 2004
Libya plans to spend one billion dollars over the next decade to buy 22 new aircraft, ranging from 14-seaters to jets with a capacity of 350 seats, for Libyan Arab Airlines, the company's president told AFP.
"One billion dollars will serve to modernise the fleet of Libyan Arab Airlines, through the purchase of 22 new planes of different sizes, able to carry from 14 to 350 passengers," said Hassan Dabnun.
He said the project would be completed within 10 years.
The president added: "We have established contacts with major builders, including Airbus and Boeing, and talks are going ahead," he said.
The airline chief said he had discussed the question of buying Boeing aircraft and spares along with the training of Libyan pilots at a meeting in early June during a visit by the US deputy secretary of commerce, William Lash.
Dabnun asked Washington to ease measures imposed on Boeing to enable the US firm to sell aircraft to Tripoli and its national carrier.
In April, Washington lifted many of the sanctions imposed on Tripoli from 1986, but a ban remains on direct flights between the two countries and the US State Department still lists Libya among states which allegedly support terrorism.
Dabnun said Lash promised to put the Libyan request to the State Department. |