With the departure of the first flight from Dubai International airport this week, Emirates has re-established a key route offering Libyan travellers access to its global network that spans six continents.

“We are now connecting Tripoli not only to Dubai, but also to our worldwide network of more than 130 destinations. Solid early bookings have demonstrated the demand, opening up new markets for passengers to and from Libya,” said Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Vice President Commercial Operations Northern and Western Africa. “Libya is showing healthy economic growth and the re-launch of our flights to Tripoli will help to support business and international trade from Tripoli to the rest of world.”

Emirates now serves Tripoli three times a week with a quick stop in Malta, utilising a Boeing 777-200ER which provides First Class, Business Class and Economy Class travel. EK745 leaves Dubai every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 0930hrs arriving in Malta at 1325hrs. The service departs Malta at 1455hrs arriving in Tripoli at 1555hrs. The return flight leaves Tripoli International Airport at 1725hrs and lands in Dubai at 0100hrs the next day.

Tripoli is one of the main hubs of Libya’s economy and, home to many of the country’s largest local and international companies. In June 2012, Emirates re-opened its Tripoli town office enabling customers to book travel on Emirates’ services outside of Libya.

Supporting trade between Tripoli and the rest of the world, Emirates SkyCargo introduced a freighter service to the city in May 2012, helping import a variety of goods such as electronics from the Far East to drilling equipment from the US. The resumption of passenger flights also enables Emirates SkyCargo to better serve Libyan cargo customers by offering a total weekly capacity of over 100 tonnes and more frequent connections with their supplier markets.

Libyan travellers now once again enjoy the renowned service from the airline’s international cabin crew recruited from over 130 countries, gourmet cuisine and award winning ice system with more than 1400 channels of entertainment and the connectivity to send and receive emails and text messages.

Emirates has a fleet of 201 aircraft and is the world’s largest operator of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, flying to 134 destinations in 74 countries across six continents.

According to an announcement, the partnership marks a new era for Qantas and Emirates, and for global aviation, as the two carriers collaborate to deliver the best network, lounges, frequent flyer benefits and travel experiences.

“The strength of this partnership stems from the fact the Emirates and Qantas brands are an excellent match. Emirates customers using a Qantas lounge or taking a Qantas flight will experience a level of service that is on par with what they expect from Emirates,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

“Our two airlines offer the largest joint fleet of Airbus A380s and passengers will be welcomed through Concourse A, the world’s first, purpose built A380 concourse, at Dubai International Airport, which is the geographical centrepiece of the partnership,” Clark added.

“A major benefit is the range of products we are offering frequent flyers. Customers of either airline can leverage many of their privileges when they fly on the joint network, including earning points, redeeming flights and accessing lounges,” Clark concluded.

Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Alan Joyce, said the partnership would make long haul travel more seamless – and faster – for millions of Australians. “Our customers from Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney have one-stop access to 65 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, the UK and Europe via the joint Qantas and Emirates network. “By travelling through Dubai, Qantas customers can connect to the extensive Emirates network into Europe and the UK and fly directly to their destination,” Joyce said. “The new network will cut average journey times by more than two hours from Melbourne and Sydney to the top 10 destinations in Europe,” he added.

Combined the two airlines will offer 98 flights a week between Australia and Dubai.