Libya by plane
The Tripoli International Airport (IATA: TIP, ICAO: HLLT) (Arabic: مطار طرابلس العالمي), is the nation's largest airport and is located in the town of Ben Ghashir 34 km (21 mi) south of the Tripoli city centre, the airport was a hub for Libyan Airlines; it was also a hub for Afriqiyah Airways and Buraq Air prior to the airports closure during the Libyan civil war of 2011.
Tripoli was previously served by most major European and Arab airlines in addition to Libyan Airlines which was using the airport as its main hub. Prior to the civil war daily flights were provided to and from most major European international airports such as Heathrow, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome with multiple weekly flights to and from Milan, Manchester, Vienna and Alexandria. A privately operated airline, Afriqiyah , and Libyan Airlines owned by the previous Government, were both providing daily services to many European destinations including Brussels, Paris CDG, Amsterdam Schipol and London Gatwick, and African cities with Tripoli as a hub. Scheduled services may resume in the period following the establishment of the transitional administration.
The National Terminal in Tripoli was closed prior to the conflict as part of the construction program of the new airport. Prior to the closure, international and domestic flights were all departing the airport from the main international passenger terminal. The terminal capacity was previously 3 million passengers a year. Two new terminals were to be built within the next several years bringing the total capacity of the airport to 20 million passenger movements. The first new terminal was due to open by March 2011 however the airport now requires extensive reconstruction. The radar system was seriously damaged in a NATO air strike in late August 2011. Fighting at the airport destroyed several commercial airliners and the airport infrastructure was damaged.
The Tripoli International Airport airport was officially re-opened for civil aircraft operations on 11 October 2011.
Libyan Airlines are currently operating limited services from Tripoli International airport to Cairo in Egypt.
The Mitiga International Airport. (IATA: MJI, ICAO: HLLM) is located about 8 km (5 mi) east of Tripoli's city centre. Prior to June 1970, the United States Air Force (USAF) used the facility. It was at that time known as Wheelus Air Base. Subsequently, the facility was known as Okba Ben Nafi Air Base, a Libyan People's Air Force (LPAF) installation.
The airport was re-opened for civil operations in October 2011 and Turkish Airlines have resumed limited services to Istanbul-(Ataturk).
The Benina International Airport, (IATA: BEN, ICAO: HLLB), (Arabic: مطار بنينة الدولي). is located in the town of Benina, 19 km east of Benghazi. Routes between Benghazi to destinations such as Alexandria and Cairo, London and Casablanca were planned to operate from Benghazi. Prior to the civil war international services were seasonal.
That airport has also reopened since the lifting of the NATO enforced NFZ and limited international airline services are available to international destinations; Libyan Airlines to Cairo and Tunis, Qatar Airways to Doha, (begins 1 November), Royal Jordanian to Amman-(Queen Alia), Turkish Airlines to Istanbul-(Ataturk) and Tunisairto is flying to Tunis.
Libyan airline, Buraq Air, also provided domestic services as well as some flights to several international destinations including Istanbul, Ribat and Aleppo. Buraq Air had been viewed as a great success story in Libya's effort to privatise its economy and break away from the state-driven economic policies of the Libyan government, it is anticipated scheduled services by both airlines may resume in the period following the establishment of the transitional (National Transitional Council) administration or subsequent to the formation of an interim national government.
There were many direct flights from places such as Amsterdam to small oasis towns in the middle of the Sahara but these are operated by the oil companies for private purposes (i.e. to ferry the foreign oil workers directly to the oil fields). As the country stabilises it may be anticipated these services will resume, possibly stimulated by the need to rebuild the nations damaged infrastructure.
During the war, a NATO no-fly zone prevented any aircraft from operating in Libyan airspace. Libya's civil air transport system was closed down during the conflict. Tripoli International Airport was turned over to use by the military and then later came under the control of rebel forces.
Prior to the civil war Libya had several operational airports providing services to commercial airlines.
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Resumption of civil aviation services from Libyan airports:
Although the NFZ has now been lifted it may require an extended time for normal scheduled commercial air services to return to Libya. When services are restored recommenced operational schedules may be subject to disruptions including delays, re-routing and flight cancellations. It is reasonable to assume that the provision of normal national civil aviation regulation and safety standards will also be subject to serious disruption.
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Bayda, La Abraq Airport—(IATA: LAQ)
Benghazi, Benina International Airport—(IATA: BEN) (reopened 11 October 2011)
Ghadames, Ghadames Airport—(IATA: LTD)
Ghat, Ghat Airport—(IATA: GHT)
Kufra, Kufra Airport—(IATA: AKF)
Misrata, Misrata Airport—(IATA: MRA)
Sabha, Sabha Airport—(IATA: SEB)
Sirte, Gardabya Airport—(IATA: SRX)
Tobruk, Tobruk Airport—(IATA: TOB)
Tripoli, Mitiga International Airport—(IATA: MJI) (reopened 11 October 2011)
Tripoli. Tripoli International Airport—(IATA: TIP) (reopened 11 October 2011)
Ubari, Ubari Airport—(IATA: QUB)
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Libya
