Libyan Airlines Nears Collapse as Fleet Shrinks, Workers Protest

Libyan Airlines is facing a deepening crisis as its fleet dwindles and employee unrest grows. The state-owned flag carrier has lost nearly 80% of its aircraft, with 19 of its 24 planes destroyed during the 2014 Battle of Tripoli Airport amid Libya’s second civil war. The airline has since received minimal government support, according to Abdelati Al-Arafi, head of the airline’s general trade union.

Despite ongoing financial struggles, Libyan Airlines has hired 300–400 new staff in Tripoli and Benghazi and retained some employees past retirement age. Al-Arafi criticized government mismanagement and the lack of compensation for pandemic-related losses, warning that the public may only realize the airline’s value if it collapses.

The airline’s fleet has shrunk to just two operational Airbus A320s (5A-LAH and 5A-LAK), according to ch-aviation and Flightradar24. While the airline owns three A320-200s and two A330-200s, the rest remain grounded.

Libyan Airlines has denied recent social media reports suggesting imminent bankruptcy, stating that operations continue and that restructuring efforts are underway.

However, workers are protesting a government resolution to transfer over 1,600 employees to other state-owned firms, fueling concerns about the carrier’s stability.

Economist Mohamed Abu Snena has warned that Libyan Airlines is on the brink of collapse and urged immediate government intervention. Calling it “too big to fail,” he stressed the need for financial restructuring, fleet reinforcement, and market reforms to preserve Libya’s national aviation identity.

Private airlines now dominate the Libyan market, posing added pressure on the struggling carrier.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com