Dr. Mohamed Shlebik Chairman Civil Aviation Authority

United World: Could you give us a brief history of Libya's Civil Aviation Authority?

Dr. Shlebik: This is the body responsible for the operations of civil aviation, the establishment of infrastructure, as well as the regulatory body, which observes the implementation of civil aviation operations. The difficulties started in 1992, when the United Nations embargo came into place. Civil aviation suffered during this period because we were cut from the rest of the world: we were even unable to obtain the periodic leaflets of the Civil Aviation international rules and regulations; it was prohibited. During this period, it was difficult to upgrade our communication networks, radar networks, and to modernize our fleet of national flights. We were extremely isolated. When the embargo was lifted in 1999, things started going back to normal but we will need time in order to return to the standards we enjoyed prior to 1992. It is hard to catch up! We have a lot of difficulties on a technical level and for the qualification of our Human Resources, especially for engineers. And this affects the implementation of international rules and regulations in this sector.

United World: How long do you expect it will take to fill in the gap?

Dr. Shlebik: We are hoping to reach our goals in a couple of years. We are faced with another issue, which is the deterioration of our national fleet. For example our national airline, the Libyan Arab Airline is far from providing services like it used to in the past. They always maintained their safety levels but services went downhill. It has reached a level that is unacceptable to passengers. A lot of its traffic has now been diverted to other carriers for that reason. Many of their pilots have moved on to other airlines. This is an example of how the embargo period affected us. Today it seems difficult for Libyan Arab Airline to get out of this situation; in fact there are talks of privatizing or dissolving the company. We are thinking of establishing a new airline all together, as the image of the Airline has been damaged beyond repair. Some steps have already been taken in this direction of establishing a new state airline, with the participation of the private sector. Hopefully it will succeed, especially for the domestic market. Libya is a big country and needs air transport; cities like Ghat, Kufra or Ghaddames in the South of the country desperately need to be covered by air transport as roads are still unreliable to these destinations.

United World: We understand that part of the reason for the deterioration of Libyan Arab Airlines was the cancellation of the Boeing order, which was put in place. What can you tell us with regards to any new Airline that is established? Will you be looking to the US again or would you turn to Airbus?

Dr. Shlebik: This is a commercial issue that will depend on the airline itself and its expectations. The new airline management will probably consider both options and accept the better offer.

United World: There are many projects being undertaken currently by the Civil Aviation Authority. Can you tell us about some of the more exciting ones?

Dr. Shlebik: The priority is to establish a new international airport in the coastal city of Benghazi; it is the second largest city in Libya with great growth potential and there is a lot of demand for air transport there. There are currently some constraints on airlines operation there. The documentation for this project is in its final stages and I expect that by 2006, an international tender will be made for the establishment of this new airport in Benghazi. Simultaneously, there is the extension of the Tripoli international airport. Terminal 2 of this airport is a project that was supposed to be completed years ago, which did not happen due to the reasons we spoke about earlier. Today the study for that project is also close to being finalized and we expect an announcement regarding the development of Terminal 2 later this year. Time-wise, we expect the Benghazi project to take about two years to develop from the day we start implementing the plans. The Tripoli international airport is in relatively better shape than the Benghazi airport, so traffic is already growing; last year we experienced a growth rate of 14% of international traffic.

United World: With regards to the eventual international airport in Benghazi, what flight routes would you be looking at?

Dr. Shlebik: Currently, most of the demands for flights to Benghazi have come from the Middle East and the Gulf area, which I assume will take priority. There is also some demand from European countries, like Germany and Italy, which will probably follow suit.

United World: In the time we have spent here so far and the people we have spoken to, we get the impression that there is a greater demand for know-how rather than capital in the country. Is this the case for the Civil Aviation Authority as well?

Dr. Shlebik: There is some truth to the fact that we don't really have a shortage in financing. However, the civil aviation field is a relatively high-tech one that requires an immediate response to meet the demand. The local staff can manage the airport, as they are currently doing, but we still need consultancy from abroad. There is always a need for the development and renewal of operating airlines. So from that perspective, we are in constant need of up-to-date advice. The other issue is that when you want to develop a network airport at a certain point in time, the budget will not be available because it does not take into consideration the changes that may arise within the year and need to be addressed. The reason being is that traffic density is very low in our airports, which does not allow us to justify certain costs. This is why it is not wise for the state to spend yearly when it does not get return on it. This is why we are seeking private entities to contribute to the commercial costs. New regulations allow us to seek investment from abroad or local private entities. We have already started receiving proposals from foreign companies, particularly from the UK, regarding the upgrading of tourist destination airports, such as Ghadames.

United World: The US is a hub for aviation technology, so what kind of investment would you be looking for from them?

Dr. Shlebik: So far, I believe we have only one or two contacts from the US, but I would assume that the size of investment and the market would not be of interest to big American companies because the first question they would have is "What is your traffic density?" If Tripoli is the largest at 1.5 million, the odds for them would not seem rewarding for the smaller airports. It would probably be more interesting for smaller enterprises. Some of our airports will provide a unique chance for investment in international traffic between Europe and Africa.

United World: How would you go about trying to achieve the status of becoming a strategic hub for the African and European market?

Dr. Shlebik: Well, we have the geographic location. The challenge is how to create the pace and devise a policy that will allow the projects to grow successfuly. The airports exist but they need to be upgraded and promoted.

United World: How do you plan on conserving the talented pilots you have in Libya?

Dr. Shlebik: We are trying to impose constraints on pilots by not allowing them to work for other airlines without permission fromLibyan Arab Airlines; its not really fair that we spend hundred thousand dollars in training on people, who then use their skills for other airlines.

United World: Please could you tell us a little about yourself and give us an idea of what you consider as being the main challenge ahead of you as the head of Libyan Civil Aviation Authority.

Dr. Shlebik: When I was a student, I was already working with the Civil Aviation Authority. I started off in the air transport department, and then I became its director. Finally I ended up in this position. My main challenge today is how to upgrade the civil aviation network and how best to secure our activities. We are in a hazardous period since we opened up to the private sector. Private airlines here want to get revenues without paying the costs, so they always aim for the minimum standard expenditure. The hazard in this kind of practice falls on our lap. The latest challenge we have is how to make these new private airlines coming into the market comply with our rules and regulations. We have ten private airlines currently operating. Most of them are in the cargo business between Libya, some African countries and the Gulf area. Less than half operate with passengers, which include domestic and international chartered flights. They are taking more than 50% of our time, to make sure that they comply with the rules and regulations. Our main goal is to satisfy the customers of air transport, to have more links with surrounding countries, to provide more choices for passengers and shippers of goods, and to stabilize the market in the face of this fierce competition with the newcomers into the market.

United World: What is your message about Libya to our readers?

Dr. Shlebik: I think the latest challenge is development, especially economic development; it is an exciting year for the international community. There has been some positive progress in that direction. Restrictions on foreign investors have eased and they have a lot of incentives nowadays. The environment in Libya today is very convenient for foreign investors. Libya is one of the safest countries in Africa. So it's the right time and place for interested partied to come to the country.

United World: Thank you for your comments.

Dr. Shlebik: Thank you.