Libya – The spokesman for Libyan Airlines, Ahmed al-Tayra, says the national carrier’s operational and financial crisis is no sudden shock but has dragged on for more than four years. Repeated, formal pleas to successive governments—especially for aircraft maintenance support—have gone unanswered, he told Libya Al-Ahrar TV.
Grounded jets and a call for state intervention
Al-Tayra said only two A320s remain in service. An A330 has been stranded in Egypt since 2022 over unpaid debts, while another aircraft sits idle in Sebha. Rather than seeking a direct cash transfer, the airline wants the state to settle outstanding liabilities. “We are treated as if we were a private carrier, even though we are the official flag-bearer,” he complained.
Promises without substance
Despite mounting debt, the company has received “no genuine support,” Al-Tayra added, describing government promises as empty and lacking credibility. Urgent spare parts and basic operating supplies are still missing, leaving the airline’s fate “lost in oblivion.”
‘Not a bankruptcy announcement’
He stressed that a recent statement from the airline’s media office was “a cry of pain,” not a declaration of bankruptcy. Misinterpretations on social media outpaced the official explanation, fuelling rumours of collapse.
No mass layoffs—yet
Reports of large‐scale staff cuts are inaccurate, he said. Any future downsizing would respect employees’ full rights. Al-Tayra also argued that Libyan Airlines faces far more scrutiny than private competitors, calling criticism after even a single delayed flight evidence of an organised campaign against the carrier.
Religious flights disappear, revenue dwindles
The loss of pilgrimage services—once a critical income stream—underscores what Al-Tayra calls the state’s wider neglect. Where the airline once served 20 countries, today it flies to just three. Even domestic routes could cease for lack of airworthy jets, a consequence of fleet damage during the pandemic and the Tripoli Airport clashes.
Appeal for urgent backing
Al-Tayra urged the government to act immediately, arguing that financing aircraft maintenance alone would resolve most problems. “What have you done for Libyan Airlines?” he asked, calling on citizens and the media to support the company and its staff.
