Libya’s Tripoli based government has taken a significant step toward upgrading its air transport capabilities, announcing a strategic cooperation agreement with Boeing aimed at advancing the civil aviation sector. The deal was formalized during an official ceremony held at the office of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscoring the importance both sides place on deepening bilateral cooperation. According to the Ministry of Transport, the agreement is structured to support programmes to acquire modern aircraft, enhance technical and technological collaboration, and contribute to developing the aviation sector’s infrastructure in line with international standards. This initiative places the civil aviation sector at the center of Libya’s broader economic and infrastructure ambitions.
The signing ceremony brought together key figures, including Senior Advisor to the U.S. President Massad Boulos, alongside a delegation from the Tripoli government and officials from the U.S. State Department. In his remarks, the U.S. President’s Advisor highlighted the importance of reinforcing the Libyan-American partnership, commending progress on economic matters, particularly the agreement on a unified budget. He described this development as a foundation for expanding cooperation in development and investment. Participants at the event also emphasized the agreement’s role in strengthening air transport systems and enhancing the long-term strategic relationship between Libya and the United States, further reinforcing the importance of the civil aviation sector in national planning.
Officials noted that the agreement represents a pivotal move to improve operational efficiency and technical capabilities across the civil aviation sector, while also supporting economic growth and expanding regional and international air connectivity. The Tripoli government delegation included the Minister of Transport and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, the Minister of Economy and Trade Suhail Abu Shiha, the Minister of Oil and Gas Khalifa Abdel Sadig, the Head of the Executive Team for the PM’s Initiatives and Strategic Projects Mustafa Al-Mana and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan Investment Authority Ali Mahmoud.
The agreement follows a series of engagements between Libya and Boeing, including a virtual meeting held on 11th March 2026 as part of the ‘Libyan-American Partnership’ initiative. This discussion involved the Prime Minister’s Initiative team working on the establishment of the new national airline, Libyan United Airlines, alongside Boeing representatives. The Libyan government stated that these efforts align with Prime Minister Aldabaiba’s vision to strengthen air transport infrastructure and diversify the national economy. The process has included multiple technical meetings aimed at finalizing commercial and operational aspects, paving the way for execution following the adoption of the white paper outlining the partnership framework.
