Air transport development at Al Abraq International Airport - Libya.

This study aims to understand the development of air transport at Al-Abraq International Airport, by analyzing its historical stages, identifying its role within the local and international air transport network, and demonstrating its importance in connecting eastern Libya with the outside world, while focusing on the impact of political and economic factors on passenger and cargo traffic. The study adopted the historical method to trace the origin and development of the airport, the descriptive method in presenting the airline network and the role of the airport, in addition to the analytical method to study the impact of political and economic variables. The geospatial approach was used to highlight the airport’s location within the air transport network, and it relied on personal interviews with airport officials and employees, in addition to employing geographic information systems to highlight the airline network. The study concluded that Al-Abraq International Airport enjoys an important strategic location, but its role in the air transport network has witnessed clear fluctuations as a result of political and economic conditions. The results also showed that passenger and cargo traffic is directly affected by the degree of stability, in addition to the existence of deficiencies in infrastructure and operational efficiency compared to the available capabilities. The study suggested the need to develop the airport’s infrastructure and technical equipment, expand the airline network, enhance compliance with international safety and security standards, and support the airport’s role in air cargo traffic, thereby contributing to raising its efficiency and strengthening its role in regional development and connecting Libya to the world.