By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli, 25 November 2014:
Tripoli’s Mitiga Airport has suspended all flights following this morning’s air raid, which apparently caused . . .[restrict]widespread panic among waiting passengers. All carriers are being diverted to Misrata.
The authorities at the airport said this second raid had caused no damage. However the Libyan Observer, which is generally pro-Libya Dawn, said that the control tower had been hit.
Airport managers have asked passengers who fled the terminal to return and collect their property.
“There are many women’s handbags and some luggage left behind at the airport as a result of the unjustified fear and panic” the airport said on its web page.
The first attack on Mitiga yesterday evening apparently did not hit the sprawling site but damaged a nearby house, injuring two women. After a temporary diversion of incoming flights to Misrata, the airport reopened and published a schedule of flights for today.
The Libyan National Army said yesterday that it would also be targeting Misrata airport.
Today LNA air force commander Adam Saqr Geroushi confirmed that the Mitiga attacks had been made by his planes. It is almost certain that the assault was launched from the Al-Wattiya airbase base, between Al-Jmail and the Jebel Nafusa escarpment. Libya Dawn claimed last night to have captured the isolated airfield but the statement has since been retracted.
Mitiga Airport said this morning that all flights in and out are suspended until further notice. It reported that both Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines would be operating out of Misrata. Afriqiyah flights to Amman and Alexandria would be leaving Misrata at 4pm today, it said. Travellers were asked to contact Libyan Airlines to find out about their flights.
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