Libya’s Government of National Unity Acquires Afriqiyah Airways A319 for State Use
The Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU), recognized by the United Nations and based in Tripoli, has added an Airbus A319-100 to its official fleet, marking a strategic enhancement of its governmental air transport capabilities. According to ch-aviation research, the 15.7-year-old aircraft was recently reactivated by state-owned Afriqiyah Airways and has now been repurposed for VIP and diplomatic operations under the state flight code ‘LYB’.
The aircraft in question, 5A-ONI (msn 4004), now sports a fresh livery featuring the official seal of the GNU and title markings near the front cabin door. The aircraft was spotted at Tripoli Mitiga International Airport, confirming its new government role. ADS-B flight tracking data reveals recent movements to destinations not regularly served by Afriqiyah Airways, including Madrid Barajas, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome Ciampino, and Zurich, highlighting its use for official international missions.
A319 Enhances Libya’s State Aviation Capabilities
This A319 now joins a Legacy 600 business jet that also flies under the LYB code from Tripoli Mitiga. The Legacy 600 had previously been operated by the Executive Authority for Special Flights (EACS), an agency tasked with managing Libya’s VIP aviation fleet. However, the current relationship between EACS and the GNU remains unclear, especially after a 2016 resolution placed the agency under the control of the Libyan House of Representatives, which now supports the rival Government of National Stability (GNS) based in Benghazi.
In addition to the A319 and Legacy 600, the EACS Aviation fleet has historically included a Falcon 900EX EASy, which has been stored at Tripoli Mitiga since May 2024, and a long-range A340-200, stored at Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg Airport in Switzerland since November 2023.
Afriqiyah Airways’ Current Fleet Status
While the A319 is now repurposed for GNU use, Afriqiyah Airways continues to operate another A319-100 as part of its commercial fleet. In a December 2024 interview with ch-aviation, Almois Mostafa Ben Esmaiel, Afriqiyah’s bureau director for cooperation and international relations, confirmed that the airline currently operates:
- 2 A319-100s
- 5 A320-200s
- 2 A330-200s
These aircraft form the backbone of Afriqiyah’s active fleet, offering both regional and long-haul connectivity. Meanwhile, seven aircraft remain grounded due to damage sustained during the country’s prolonged civil conflict. The airline’s only dedicated freighter, an A300-600R(F), remains stored at Istanbul Sabiha Gökcen Airport.
Strengthening Diplomatic Reach
The addition of the A319-100 demonstrates the GNU’s intent to strengthen its international diplomatic reach and enhance high-level government mobility. With Libya working to re-establish global ties and stabilize post-conflict, a capable and reliable VIP aviation fleet is seen as a key asset in supporting state-level travel, negotiations, and international representation.
As Libya’s political landscape continues to evolve, the fate of aircraft assets tied to former or rival agencies may shift, but the GNU’s latest acquisition signals its effort to consolidate control over key aviation resources.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com