Libyan Wings

Libyan Wings
IATA ICAO Callsign
YL[1] LWA[1] LIBYAN WINGS[2]
Commenced operations 21 September 2015
Operating bases Mitiga International Airport (Tripoli)
Fleet size 2 (November 2016)
Destinations 5 (November 2016)
Headquarters Tripoli, Libya
Key people Edgardo Badiali, CEO
Employees 120–130 (November 2016)
Website libyanwings.ly

Libyan Wings (Arabic: الأجنحة الليبية‎‎) is an airline based at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, Libya. It started operations in September 2015 after facing delays because of political instability in Libya. As of November 2016, the airline operates two Airbus A319s to five destinations in Libya, Tunisia and Turkey.

History

In June 2013, ch-aviation reported that Libyan Wings intended to start operations in November of that year.[3] In November 2013, the airline signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for three Airbus A350-900s and four Airbus A320neos; the anticipated launch date was shifted to early 2014.[4] In May 2014, Libyan Wings signed to lease two Airbus A319s from a Dubai-based company,[5] planning to begin flights later in the year.[6] However, because of the deteriorating political situation in Libya, the airline had to delay its launch further. While it waited for conditions to improve, Libyan Wings retained its Airbus A319s rather than return them to the lessor, even though this action was costly.[7]

In order to obtain its air operator's certificate, the airline had to conduct a proving flight with passengers. Because Tripoli was still unsafe, Libyan Wings operated its proving flight in Turkey with Libyan Civil Aviation Authority officials on board.[7] The airline commenced operations on 21 September 2015 with a flight from Tripoli to Istanbul.[8] Four days later,[9] Turkey required all Libyan citizens to have a visa before entering the country; Libyan Wings had to suspend operations while its passengers travelled to the Turkish consulate in Misrata, 200 kilometres (120 mi) away, to obtain their visas.[10]

Flights to Tunis began in October 2015,[9] and Istanbul operations have since resumed.[7] As of October 2016, the memorandum of understanding with Airbus is still in effect, although the order has not been finalised yet.[7]

Corporate affairs

Libyan Wings is headquartered in Tripoli, and its chief executive officer is Edgardo Badiali.[7] The airline has at least ten investors.[lower-alpha 1][8] As of November 2016, the airline has between 120 and 130 employees.[11]

In an October 2016 interview with ch-aviation, Badiali stated that the majority of customers are Libyan citizens and are travelling for business purposes.[7]

Destinations

As of November 2016, Libyan Wings operates scheduled flights to the destinations below with a base at Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport.[lower-alpha 2] The airline has also operated flights to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrims.[7]

Country City Airport Notes Ref.
LibyaMisrataMisrata Airport—[11]
LibyaTripoliMitiga International AirportBase[12]
TunisiaSfaxSfax–Thyna International Airport—[11]
TunisiaTunisTunis–Carthage International Airport—[11]
TurkeyIstanbulIstanbul Atatürk Airport—[11]

Fleet

As of November 2016, Libyan Wings operates two Airbus A319s equipped with 12 business-class seats and 108 economy-class seats.[8][11]

Notes

  1. ↑ The Libyan government prohibits a party from holding more than a 10% stake in an airline. Libyan Wings has not indicated exactly how many investors it has, but it has said that they are all businessmen.[8]
  2. ↑ Tripoli's primary commercial airport, Tripoli International Airport, has suffered damage caused by the 2014 Battle of Tripoli Airport.

References

  1. 1 2 "Libyan Wings". ch-aviation. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "7340.2F with Change 1 and Change 2 and Change 3" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. 15 October 2015. p. 3-1-61. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "Libyan Wings set for November 2013 launch". ch-aviation. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  4. ↑ "Libyan Wings orders three A350 XWBs and four A320neo’s" (Press release). Airbus. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  5. ↑ "DAE Signs Long-term Lease Agreements with Libyan Wings" (Press release). Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  6. ↑ "Libyan Wings defers delivery of maiden A319s". ch-aviation. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Oldorf, Max (23 October 2016). "ch-aviation interview: Edgardo Badiali, CEO Libyan Wings". ch-aviation. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Libyan Wings launches to help with Libya's aviation reconstruction. A320neos and A350s on order". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  9. 1 2 El Gazzar, Shereen (25 October 2015). "Libyan Wings turns to Istanbul". The National. Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  10. ↑ Rivers, Martin (26 October 2015). "Out of the ashes, a new Libyan airline takes flight". Al Arabiya. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Libyan Wings looks for new aircraft and higher frequencies". Arabian Aerospace. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  12. ↑ "Libyan airline plans to double fleet with Airbus jetliners". The National. Abu Dhabi. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
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