The Abu Dhabi government-owned carrier said the flights will operate three times a week.

They will run via Alexandria, Egypt initially, but Etihad plans nonstop service once “infrastructure in Tripoli can support them.”

Etihad CEO James Hogan says the change of regime and postwar rebuilding should create strong demand for the flights.

Alitalia and Turkish Airlines are among carriers that have recently resumed flights to the Libyan capital.