The European Commission renewed on 25 November a measure banning Libyan airlines from operating in European airspace, including diplomatic flights. The measure had been in force since 2014.
According to the European Union (EU), the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority has failed to demonstrate that it is able to ensure Libyan airlines comply with the required industry security standards.
Africa Intelligence said Italy tried in vain to shift the ban because it wanted to strengthen relations with Tripoli, thus Mario Draghi’s government had promised to do everything in its power to plead its case to the European Transport Commissioner, Adina Valean.
“As it stands, all of Libya’s state operators Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines, and their private competitors which include Libyan Wings, Buraq Air and Berniq Airways, are barred from flying into European airspace.” It added.
Only Medavia, owned by the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) but registered in Malta, has been in a position to dodge the ban. Medavia opened a Tripoli-Malta flight with a Boeing 737 on 20 September, but the venture was short lived, this time thwarted by security threats at Mitiga airport leading to the airline’s decision to suspend operations on the line on 9 November.
According to Africa Intelligence, the update to the EU’s air safety list also comes with one addition: Hala Air: a new firm, founded in late 2020 by unknown investors, and it only has one aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger.
“This plane belongs to the Executive Authority for Air Cargo and Special Flights (EACS), the public entity that operates the state’s planes. EACS had opted to lease the plane to Hala Air to streamline the running of its rather eclectic fleet. Despite being “privatized”, the plane is still mostly used to fly diplomats, presidential advisors or cabinet members.” The report indicated.
