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Libyan Arab Airlines Reopens International Services
With the lift of sanctions against Libya in 1999, the national carrier Libyan Arab Airlines has started to develop its former international network through Africa, Europe and the Middle East. To this aim, the airline needs to replace its ageing fleet.
The target is to replace remaining B.727-200s, Fokker F28s and F27s, purchased before the sanctions, with an all Airbus fleet composed by A 320s, 330s and 340s. Due to the persistent US embargo on aviation products, Libyan Arab opted to lease capacity. Together with some Airbus A 310s and Fokker F28s, Libyan Arab put recently in service a couple of Airbus A 320 on wet-lease from Irish operator TransAer International Airlines.
In the meantime Libyan Arab is also planning the entry of the Libyan second largest passenger airline, Air Jamahirya, in the growing domestic and international air transport market, both scheduled and charter.
Air Jamahirya, the new name of Light Air Transport & Technical Services, is specialized in oil field support activity. At the moment its quite large fleet comprises DHC-6 Twin Otters and some other smaller aircraft types.
In the pictures: Landing at Malpensa, Airbus A 320-231 EI-TLG of Irish operator TransAer painted with the colours of Libyan Arab Airlines; taking off at Rome/Fiumicino in January 1979, Libyan Arab Airlines Boeing B.727-2L5 Advanced 5A-DIC.
(Aeromedia, May 2000)