The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced last Friday (24 July) the extension of its flight ban over Libya until January 2027.
This came through its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) for Libya (currently updated under CZIB-2017-02). This advises air operators to exercise extreme caution or avoid Libyan airspace due to ongoing security risks, political instability, and fragmented military control
Current Airspace Guidance
Valid Until: Extended through 31 January 2027.
Affected Airspace: Tripoli FIR (HLLL), covering all altitudes and flight levels.
Below FL320: Operators are advised not to use Libyan airspace, except for specific flights to coastal airports utilizing an approach from the sea, complete coordination with local air traffic control, and a robust individual risk assessment.
Above FL320: Operations may occur, but operators must exercise extreme caution due to potential high-altitude air defence system risks.
Key Risk Factors
Security Volatility: Presence of competing authorities and violent non-state actors.
Misidentification Risk: Fragmented or unclear command and control of local air defence systems.
Degraded Services: Potential unavailability or degradation of air navigation services and unreliable aeronautical information (NOTAMs)
The reality – hundreds of flights to and from Libya every year
In reality, it must be noted that international carriers have been flying over Libyan airspace since January 2025. Other Arab and Turkish Airlines are also flying to Libya.
In March this year, the French Directorate General of Civil Aviation gave Air France permission to fly over Libya again - in a very specific corridor. Other carriers that currently flying over Libya include Qatar Airways, Emirates, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines and Max Air (Nigeria).
US FAA lifts flight ban over Libyan airspace
It must be noted that in March 2019, the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) reviewed its flight ban over Libyan airspace by permitting US carriers to fly over Libyan airspace above 300 metres.
Egypt Air emergency landing at Kufra Airport
It will also be recalled, and as reported by Libya Herald, that the state Libyan Company for Ground Services had reported that an Egypt Air flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Kufra Airport in January 2025.
The emergency was due to the sudden illness of one of the flight attendants on board. The flight attendant had suffered a drop in the level of blood sugar and high blood pressure.
All necessary services were provided
The Libyan Company for Ground Services reported that the preset emergency plan was provided and applied, and all necessary services were provided with high quality to the plane and crew.
Ground services available 24/7 to all flights crossing Libyan airspace
The Libyan Ground Services Company assured that the company’s stations at all Libyan airports are ready to operate 24 hours to provide ground services to all flights of airlines crossing Libyan airspace.
Good news for Libya’s efforts to lift EU flight ban
The news of the successful processing of the emergency landing of the Egypt Air flight at Kufra airport was good news for Libya and its aviation sector. The Libyan government has been working hard over the last ten years to reinstate foreign carrier flights to Libyan airports – including flights crossing its airspace.
Overflights provide valuable revenue
Libya had been losing millions of US dollars’ worth of revenue from fees for flights over its airspace. The successful Egypt Air emergency landing at the very remote Kufra airport helped allay fears and encourage more flights into crossing Libya’s vast airspace.
The illogic of the EU flight ban?
Meanwhile, it must also be noted that, despite the EU flight ban, Libyan owned carrier, MedSky, is currently operating flights to the EU: Athens, Dusseldorf, Madrid, Malta, Milan and Rome. This puts into question the rationale of the ongoing EU flight ban.