A flight operated by Libya’s Berniq Airways was forced to cancel its departure from Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli to Cairo on Friday after a flock of birds collided with the aircraft during take-off. The incident prompted officials to abort the flight as a precaution.
The flight, captained by Marwan Al-Sheikhi and co-pilot Tamim Mneina, was carrying 155 passengers. Authorities confirmed that all passengers were safely disembarked, and no injuries were reported despite the aircraft sustaining significant damage, according to aviation specialists and local civil aviation monitoring sources.
Berniq Airways stated that a replacement aircraft would be deployed to complete the journey, ensuring minimal disruption for travellers. Passengers commended the professionalism of the crew and ground staff in handling the emergency, describing the response as swift and in line with established operational protocols.
This incident marks one of the few recent cases of bird strikes affecting commercial flights in Libya. Authorities emphasised that the safety of passengers and crew remains the top priority, and further inspections of the aircraft will be conducted before its next scheduled flight.
Berniq Airways has reassured the public that it continues to monitor safety procedures and implement international aviation standards to prevent similar occurrences.
Passengers affected by the cancellation are being accommodated and offered alternative arrangements to reach their destinations.
The event underscores the importance of continuous vigilance in airport operations and the challenges posed by wildlife interactions for Libyan aviation.
