Afriqiyah Airways
Encyclopedia
Afriqiyah Airways is an airline
based in Tripoli
, Libya. It operated domestic services between Tripoli and Benghazi
and international scheduled services to over 25 countries in Europe
, Africa
, Asia
and the Middle East
. Due to the United Nations "No Fly Zone" instituted under Security Council Resolution 1973 the airline is unable to operate and all operations are therefore currently suspended. Its main base is Tripoli International Airport
. The name Afriqiyah comes from the Arabic language
word for African. The 9.9.99 logo on the side of Afriqiyah's aeroplanes refers to the date of the Sirte Declaration
which marked the formation of the African Union
. The idea was for Afriqiyah to be the "Airline of Africa" with its hub in Tripoli. Afriqiyah Airways is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization
and the International Air Transport Association
. The airline generated US$120 million in revenue in 2006. By mid October 2010, Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines (Libya's other state flag carrier) were expected to merge into one airline.
The airline was established in April 2001 and commenced scheduled services on 1 December 2001. It is wholly owned by the Libyan government and has 287 employees (at March 2007). The airline started off with Boeing 737-400
aircraft, but in 2003 introduced all Airbus
equipment.
Afriqiyah Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
for the purchase of six Airbus A320
s and three Airbus A319
s plus an option on five, as well as for three Airbus A330-200s
, with an option for three. This acquisition is part of the long-term expansion strategy of the young Libyan airline. The first A319 was delivered on September 8, 2008.
The new A320s and A319s will be put into service on Afriqiyah’s growing international network, covering routes from its base at Tripoli to seventeen destinations in North-, West- and Central Africa and the Middle East, as well as to European destinations such as Paris
, Brussels
, London
, Rome
and Amsterdam
. Afriqiyah’s A319s will carry 124 passengers in a two-class configuration, while the A320 will seat 144 in two class configurations (J16/Y128). The A330s will serve the long-distance operations on routes to Southern Africa, Asia and Europe and will have a two-class configuration with 230 seats (J30/Y200).
, Asia
and Europe
.
In the winter of 2010, two new routes were added to the airline's network - Beijing
and Nouakchott
. Afriqiyah Airways also plans to introduce new services to Marseille
.
Two A330s
that were delivered in 2009 were used to inaugurate new routes to Dhaka
, Johannesburg
and Kinshasa
. A third A330 which was delivered, crashed in Tripoli on an inbound flight (Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771
) from Johannesburg on 12 May 2010.
Resolution 1973, which was taken to protect civilians specifically targeted by the Libyan Regime's forces in response to events during the 2011 Libyan civil war
.
Point 17 of the United Nations resolution specifically bans flights from members of the United Nations of aircraft registered in Libya, effectively prohibiting under international law the operation of Libyan based airlines. This was recinded as Afriqiyah Airways was officially unsanctioned on 16 September 2011, when Libyan-registered aircraft were again permitted to enter EU airspace. This resulted in the announcement that Afriqiyah Airways expects to resume flights between Tripoli and London by the end of the year, subject to the issue of the correct air transport and security permits, using A320 equipment. Onward connections to Accra, Dakar and Lagos are expected to resume in December 2011 when the A330s return from the Hadj flights.
The single Airbus A340
was a private jet for former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi
, which he bought from Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal
of Saudi Arabia
for $120 million in 2003. Operated by Afriqiyah Airways and decorated externally in their colours, it was not the aircraft used in 2009 to repatriate Lockerbie bomber Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi, from Prestwick in Scotland on his licensed release from prison; this was an Airbus A300-600 5A-IAY which has now been destroyed. The A340 plane was captured at Tripoli airport in August 2011 as a result of the Libyan civil war, and found by BBC News
reporter John Simpson
to contain various luxuries including a jacuzzi
.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
based in Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, Libya. It operated domestic services between Tripoli and Benghazi
Benghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
and international scheduled services to over 25 countries in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. Due to the United Nations "No Fly Zone" instituted under Security Council Resolution 1973 the airline is unable to operate and all operations are therefore currently suspended. Its main base is Tripoli International Airport
Tripoli International Airport
The Tripoli International Airport is an international airport that serves Tripoli, Libya. It is operated by the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Bureau of Libya and is the nation's largest airport...
. The name Afriqiyah comes from the Arabic language
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
word for African. The 9.9.99 logo on the side of Afriqiyah's aeroplanes refers to the date of the Sirte Declaration
Sirte Declaration
The Sirte Declaration was the resolution adopted by the Organisation of African Unity on 9 September 1999, at the fourth Extraordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of African Heads of State and Government held at Sirte, Libya...
which marked the formation of the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
. The idea was for Afriqiyah to be the "Airline of Africa" with its hub in Tripoli. Afriqiyah Airways is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization
Arab Air Carriers Organization
The Arab Air Carriers Organization , established in 1965, is a non profit organization and has 24 Arab airlines as members.AACO was established by the League of Arab States . Its goal is to promote cooperation, quality and safety standards among the Arab airlines...
and the International Air Transport Association
International Air Transport Association
The International Air Transport Association is an international industry trade group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the International Civil Aviation Organization is also headquartered. The executive offices are at the Geneva Airport in SwitzerlandIATA's mission is to...
. The airline generated US$120 million in revenue in 2006. By mid October 2010, Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines (Libya's other state flag carrier) were expected to merge into one airline.
History
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
aircraft, but in 2003 introduced all Airbus
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
equipment.
Afriqiyah Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
for the purchase of six Airbus A320
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
s and three Airbus A319
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
s plus an option on five, as well as for three Airbus A330-200s
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
, with an option for three. This acquisition is part of the long-term expansion strategy of the young Libyan airline. The first A319 was delivered on September 8, 2008.
The new A320s and A319s will be put into service on Afriqiyah’s growing international network, covering routes from its base at Tripoli to seventeen destinations in North-, West- and Central Africa and the Middle East, as well as to European destinations such as Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. Afriqiyah’s A319s will carry 124 passengers in a two-class configuration, while the A320 will seat 144 in two class configurations (J16/Y128). The A330s will serve the long-distance operations on routes to Southern Africa, Asia and Europe and will have a two-class configuration with 230 seats (J30/Y200).
Destinations
Afriqiyah Airways flew directly to various cities in AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
and Nouakchott
Nouakchott
-Government:The town was first divided into districts in 1973. First it was divided into four. From 1986, the city has been split into nine districts.* Arafat* Dar Naim* El Mina* Ksar* Riad* Sebkha* Tevragh-Zeina* Teyarett* Toujounine...
. Afriqiyah Airways also plans to introduce new services to Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
.
Two A330s
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
that were delivered in 2009 were used to inaugurate new routes to Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
. A third A330 which was delivered, crashed in Tripoli on an inbound flight (Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771
Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771
Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 was a scheduled international passenger flight that crashed on 12 May 2010 at about 06:10 local time on approach to Tripoli International Airport...
) from Johannesburg on 12 May 2010.
Suspended Operations
On 19 March 2011 a multi-state coalition began a military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security CouncilUnited Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
Resolution 1973, which was taken to protect civilians specifically targeted by the Libyan Regime's forces in response to events during the 2011 Libyan civil war
2011 Libyan civil war
The 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
.
Point 17 of the United Nations resolution specifically bans flights from members of the United Nations of aircraft registered in Libya, effectively prohibiting under international law the operation of Libyan based airlines. This was recinded as Afriqiyah Airways was officially unsanctioned on 16 September 2011, when Libyan-registered aircraft were again permitted to enter EU airspace. This resulted in the announcement that Afriqiyah Airways expects to resume flights between Tripoli and London by the end of the year, subject to the issue of the correct air transport and security permits, using A320 equipment. Onward connections to Accra, Dakar and Lagos are expected to resume in December 2011 when the A330s return from the Hadj flights.
Fleet
As of 12 November 2011, the Afriqiyah Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft with an average age of 2.9 years:| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Options | Passengers | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | Y | Total | |||||
| Airbus A319-111 Airbus A320 family The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001... |
2 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 96 | 112 | |
| Airbus A320-200 Airbus A320 family The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001... |
3 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 126 | 142 | |
| Airbus A321-200 Airbus A320 family The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001... |
0 | 3 | 0 | Unknown | |||
| Airbus A330-200 Airbus A330 The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo.... |
0 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 200 | 230 | |
| Airbus A340-200 Airbus A340 The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is... |
0 | 0 | 0 | VIP configuration | Gaddafi's Family Private Jet | ||
| Airbus A350-800 Airbus A350 The Airbus A350 is a family of long-range, wide-body jet airliners under development by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.A consortium originally comprising European aerospace companies from the UK, France, Spain and West Germany, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known... |
0 | 6 | 0 | TBD | |||
| Total | 5 | 10 | 8 | ||||
The single Airbus A340
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
was a private jet for former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
, which he bought from Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal
Al-Waleed bin Talal
Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is a Saudi Arabian billionaire and member of the Saudi royal family. He is the nephew of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. An entrepreneur and international investor he has amassed a fortune through investments in real estate and the stock market.He is founder and CEO of...
of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
for $120 million in 2003. Operated by Afriqiyah Airways and decorated externally in their colours, it was not the aircraft used in 2009 to repatriate Lockerbie bomber Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi, from Prestwick in Scotland on his licensed release from prison; this was an Airbus A300-600 5A-IAY which has now been destroyed. The A340 plane was captured at Tripoli airport in August 2011 as a result of the Libyan civil war, and found by BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
reporter John Simpson
John Simpson
John Cody Fidler-Simpson CBE is an English foreign correspondent. He is world affairs editor of BBC News. He has spent all his working life at the Corporation...
to contain various luxuries including a jacuzzi
Jacuzzi
Jacuzzi is a company that produces whirlpool bathtubs and spas. Its first product was a bath with massaging jets. The term "jacuzzi" is now often used generically to refer to any bathtub with massaging jets.-History:...
.
Accidents and Incidents
- On 12 May 2010, at 04:10 UTC (06:10 Tripoli time) Flight 771Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 was a scheduled international passenger flight that crashed on 12 May 2010 at about 06:10 local time on approach to Tripoli International Airport...
, an Airbus A330-202 flying from JohannesburgJohannesburgJohannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
to TripoliTripoliTripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, Libya, crashed on approach to Tripoli airport. 11 crew members and 93 passengers were killed. The sole survivor was a nine-year-old Dutch boy. The aircraft, (serial number 1024), was delivered on 8 September 2009, thus being some eight months old at the time of the incident. The aircraft had logged approximately 1600 hours on 420 flights. The weather at the time of the crash was officially recorded as cloudy, but with good visibility, and no fog or thunderstorms. However, the aircraft was making an approach to the easterly runway, which has no blind landing aids. The sun was just on the horizon and a sandstorm had just passed, making the visibility into the sun decidedly murky. The westerly runway, away from the sun, had excellent visibility, however, and it is unclear why the pilot was directed to use the easterly runway in such marginal conditions following a long overnight flight.
- On 25 August 2011, During a crossfire during the Battle of Tripoli, Airbus A300B4-620Airbus A300The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
5A-IAY was destroyed, and an Airbus A320Airbus A320The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
5A-ONK sustained damage to the starboard wing root by an RPG while it was parked on the ramp on Tripoli International AirportTripoli International AirportThe Tripoli International Airport is an international airport that serves Tripoli, Libya. It is operated by the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Bureau of Libya and is the nation's largest airport...
. It has also been reported that an Afriqiyah Airbus A330 was destroyed, although one hull 5A-ONH has been raked from stem to stern by machine gun fire.