Pierluigi Di Palma, President of Italy’s National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), has called for the establishment of direct air routes with Libya, viewing the move as a way to overcome geopolitical and diplomatic barriers and strengthen people-to-people connections.
Speaking at the “Italy: Center of the Mediterranean” forum held in Rimini on Italy’s eastern coast, Di Palma described aviation as “an intangible bridge that unites cultures and peoples.” He emphasized that opening air routes to countries like Libya is not merely a commercial endeavor, but a meaningful act that promotes integration, dialogue, and mutual development.
It is worth noting that Italian airlines began operating two weekly flights to Tripoli last January, before suspending service in May due to security concerns. A flight to Benghazi was also launched in late June as part of preparations to activate a new air route to Libya.