According to a report by the British aviation news outlet Times Aerospace, Libya’s Buraq Air has obtained an Airbus A320 aircraft.
The report indicates that this step is part of Buraq’s expansion efforts within and beyond Libya, with the airline choosing an 11-year-old model from a leasing company.
The aircraft underwent pre-delivery maintenance at East Midlands Airport in the UK before being transferred to Ataturk Airport in Turkey and then re-registered in Libya.
Currently, Buraq Air operates a small international scheduled network, notably flying to Istanbul, along with additional charter services to destinations such as Alexandria and Tunis.
Recent tasks have included repatriating Bangladeshi migrants who had illegally entered Libya and been detained before being returned to their homeland. The airline has also undertaken flights in support of Canada-based helicopter operator CHC, which provides rotor-wing flights for oil companies.
Until recently, the airline, based at Mitiga outside the capital, Tripoli, had been a long-time Boeing 737 operator, flying early -200 models in the early part of the century and now operating single examples of the 737-400 and -800.
On 11 December 2014, the European Commission banned Libyan airlines from passing over EU member states’ airspace, due to safety control concerns in a country experiencing periodic security tensions.
Last week, French Ambassador to Libya, Mostafa Mihraje, affirmed his country’s commitment, through its membership in the European Union, to lift the ban on Libyan civil aviation.
This statement came during a meeting between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Mohamed Issa, and the French Ambassador to Libya, at the ministry’s headquarters.
The media office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of National Unity (GNU) stated that Issa expressed his hope for France to play a positive role in lifting the ban on Libyan civil aviation in European airspace, aiming to enhance trade and travel between the two countries.
The Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of France’s support for peace and stability efforts in Libya, as well as its backing for a comprehensive national dialogue among all Libyan factions.
Regarding the issue of illegal migration, the Deputy Minister noted the significant number of migrants who perish while crossing the desert or sea.
He affirmed that the GNU will staunchly defend Libya’s sovereignty, security, and stability. He also stated that it would spare no effort in enforcing Libyan laws related to combating infiltration and illegal migration.
