Chapman Freeborn Airchartering has announced that it has formed an exclusive partnership with Air Libya to place and operationally manage an Antonov An-26 aircraft in Libya.
There is expected to be high demand for the freighter which will be based at Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport (MJI) on a long-term lease agreement with immediate effect.
The An-26 - which offers a 5.5 ton payload - will be available for ad hoc cargo charter requirements within Libya as well as international flights to and from the EU and North Africa.
The An-26 is considered to be one of the most versatile types in the market due to its ability to utilise short and unpaved runways in remote locations. It also features rear door loading and unloading capabilities - making it well suited to moving outsize pieces of cargo.
It is the intention to introduce internal scheduled services to connect Tripoli and Benghazi with Libya’s more remote airfields - including regular operations to the oil fields in the south of the country.
The venture will provide much needed logistics solutions in a country where few international aviation companies are currently willing to invest in establishing services. It will also provide a viable alternative to sea freight routes to and from Europe which have been subject to high rates.
Paul Drew, Chapman Freeborn’s project manager, comments:
"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.
“Given the limited air freight and sea freight options currently available, the news of this service has been very well received so far.”
(Source: Chapman Freeborn)
