Tunisian carrier cancels flights to Libya

Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Tunisia's flag carrier Tunisair Sunday cancelled flights to Tripoli and Benghazi, following the Libyan government’s decision to close the Libyan airspace.

Tunisair spokesman Soulafa Mkaddem said the closure of the air space might have been due to the strike by air traffic controllers operating at the Tripoli and Benghazi international airports.

Last Thursday, a Tunisair plane was prevented from taking off from the Benghazi airport for security reasons, following the attack against the U.S. consulate in Libya's second city.

The aircraft was eventually cleared to take off the following day.

Traffic between the two Maghreb countries have increased in recent months, with the opening of new routes connecting Tunisian cities - Djerba (south) and Monastir (centre) - to Tripoli and Benghazi.
-0- PANA BB/JSG/JEN/SEG 17Sept2012