
The first direct flight from Tripoli's Mitiga airport to Madrid landed yesterday, marking the resumption of direct air travel between the two cities after more than a decade. The Spanish Ambassador to Libya participated in the celebration event of the Medsky flight in Madrid. The Spanish Embassy stated that this new twice-weekly service will create new opportunities across all areas of their relationship. This flight coincides with the Libyan Spanish Economic Forum being held in Madrid from April 23 to 24. The Spanish Embassy has been fully operational since reopening in June 2021, and has been actively involved in various initiatives, including opening a Schengen visa application center in Tripoli, organizing cultural events, and facilitating economic discussions. Recent collaborations have also included Spanish medical specialists conducting campaigns in Libya, discussions on military industries and air defense, and a joint venture for an aircraft maintenance center at Misrata airport.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Libya Herald.
Must ReadThe National Development Agency NDA has signed 13 contracts with Chinese companies to develop the 1,000-hectare Magroun Industrial Zone. Located south of Benghazi, the zone is envisioned as a regional hub for industry, investment, and production. The launch ceremony included a review of the project's master plan, infrastructure implementation stages, and a presentation of its industrial specializations. These specializations encompass building and construction materials, environmental industries, renewable energy technologies, electrical and mechanical industries, chemical and plastics, textiles, electronics, and modern technologies. Leading political figures from eastern Libya attended the event.

Dietsmann Libya announced on July 16 that it has been awarded a new three-year offshore maintenance contract by Mellitah Oil and Gas. This agreement covers the provision of Maintenance Management Assistance and Supporting Services for the Offshore Bouri Field, which includes the DP3 and DP4 platforms and the Gaza FSO. The contract encompasses maintenance management, HSEQ, planning, and technical support across various disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, HVAC, instrumentation, civil, and marine. A team of up to 75 personnel will deliver these services to ensure the reliability and performance of the offshore production facilities. Dietsmann stated that this award reinforces its partnership with Mellitah Oil & Gas and Eni, building on existing contracts for the Wafa Desert, Mellitah Complex, and Sabratha Platform.

The General Electricity Company of Libya GECOL announced the connection of the sixth gas unit at the Zueitina Power Plant to the national electricity grid, providing 250 MW. This follows upgrade and overhaul works, and successful operational testing. GECOL stated this addition is part of its plan to restore idle units to service, enhancing grid reliability. The connection is timely, occurring after a significant blackout on July 18 from Misrata eastwards to the Egyptian border, which was attributed to a loss of over 1,350 megawatts. Tripoli Prime Minister Aldabaiba called for an investigation into GECOL's management following the blackout, which was partially due to gas supply shortages. GECOL had previously promised on July 15 that new units, totaling over 600 megawatts from three stations, would soon be online. Libya has experienced increasing power cuts and load shedding since June. The Tripoli government has prioritized domestic users over industrial consumers, impacting industries like cement production and leading to increased cement prices. The Libyan Industry Union met to discuss the negative effects of electricity shortages. Power outages also shut down 92 water wells of the Man-Made River. Egyptian media reported the resumption of electricity exports to eastern Libya, starting with 70 megawatts. These power shortages persist despite the Tripoli government allocating billions to the electricity generation sector.