Kufra International Airport reported today that an EgyptAir flight was forced to make an emergency landing at the airport due to a ‘‘critical medical emergency on board’’.
The plane was enroute from Cairo to the capital of Chad, N'djamena.
Social media has since reported that a Chadian passenger had suffered a stroke aboard the Egyptian plane.
Reports say medical and ambulance teams arrived immediately at the airport where they stretchered the ill passenger and transfer him to a medical centre to receive the necessary medical care.
Reinforcing Libya's position as a regional hub capable of rapid and reliable response
Meanwhile, the Libyan Ground Handling Company (Kufra Station) reported that its staff immediately attended to the aircraft, providing urgent medical care and operational support to ensure passenger safety and the safe continuation of the flight.
It reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to readiness, professionalism, and international safety standards, reinforcing Libya's position as a regional hub capable of rapid and reliable response.
Egypt Air’s January 2025 emergency landing at Kufra airport
It will be recalled that in January last year another EgyptAir flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Kufra airport due to a medical emergency.
US Federal Aviation Authority permits US carriers to fly over Libyan airspace above 300 metres
It will be recalled that the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) had announced in March 2019 that US carriers could fly over Libyan airspace above 300 metres. The ban still stands below 300 metres.
However, in the ensuing years the number of overflights in the airspace covered by Kufra airport has increased drastically. These include flights by Egypt Air, Emirates, (Nigeria’s) Max Air, Qatar Air and Turkish Air. In March this year Air France also started to fly over Libya’s southern airspace.
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Libya Demonstrates Aviation Operational Readiness After Egypt Air Emergency Landing