World · Africa · 7 hrs ago
ICAO lifts restrictions on Libyan airspace after 11 years
The U.N. aviation agency has lifted restrictions on Libyan airspace that were imposed in 2015 during the country’s civil war.
Libya’s transport ministry said the decision was formally issued on October 23 and announced in Doha by ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar.
The restrictions followed years of conflict after Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in 2011, which left Libya divided between eastern and western administrations.
Libya expects 61,968 transit flights a month this winter, compared with an average of 2,000 a month in the previous winter season.
The ministry said the increase reflects greater confidence in Libya’s civil aviation sector and could bring substantial revenue.
Few airlines currently fly to and from Libya, with routes long limited to destinations including Tunisia, Jordan, Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.
The ICAO decision will be sent to all 193 member states for implementation.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has lifted restrictions on Libyan airspace imposed in 2015 during the country’s civil war.
Libya’s transport ministry said the decision was formally issued on Oct. 23 and announced in Doha by ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar.
The ministry said permits for transit flights in the 2026-2027 winter season are expected to reach 61,968 flights per month from November.
That would be a sharp increase from an average of 2,000 transit flights per month during the 2025-2026 season.
The ministry attributed the decision to progress in Libya’s civil aviation sector and said it would bring substantial financial revenues.
- Who
- The International Civil Aviation Organization lifted the restrictions. Libya’s transport ministry announced the decision.
- What
- Restrictions on Libyan airspace imposed in 2015 have been removed.
- When
- The decision was formally issued on Oct. 23, 2026, and announced on Monday, Oct. 26.
- Where
- The restrictions concerned Libyan airspace. The decision was announced at a meeting in Doha.
- Why
- The ministry said the decision reflected progress and confidence in the capabilities of Libya’s civil aviation sector.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Libya slid into chaos after Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in a NATO-backed uprising.
Fighting damaged up to 20 aircraft at Tripoli International Airport.
ICAO issued restrictions on Libyan airspace during the civil war.
The decision to lift the restrictions was formally issued.
Libya’s transport ministry announced the decision, which ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar had announced in Doha.
- Restrictions imposed
- 2015
- Decision formally issued
- Oct. 23, 2026
- Permits forecast
- 61,968 flights per month in the 2026-2027 winter season
- Previous transit traffic
- Average of 2,000 flights per month in the 2025-2026 season
- Announcement venue
- Doha
What people are saying
This measure comes as a result of the notable progress made and the confidence placed in the capabilities of the Libyan civil aviation sector in recent times.
The total number of permits registered for the 2026-2027 winter season has surged to 61,968 flights per month, effective from this November