Russian Aviation Authority Bans All Russian Airlines From Flying to Libya

Rosaviatsiya, Russia's aviation authority, banned all Russian airlines from flying to Tripoli due to the armed conflict in Libya.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – All Russian airlines are banned from flying to the Libyan capital of Tripoli, Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsiya said in a statement Wednesday.

“With regards to information received from the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) on the existing risks in security for international flights by civilian aircraft within the flight information region (FIR) of Tripoli because of the armed conflict in Libya, Tripoli’s FIR is to be prohibited for use for flights of civilian aircraft, including transit flights,” the statement reads.

Libya is currently facing its worst wave of violence since the 2011 overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi that prompted a civil war. Government forces have been fighting numerous rebel groups, including Islamic extremists.

Foreign commercial flights to Libya were canceled in July 2014, when fighting between the opposing sides intensified in Tripoli’s main airport. However, some flights from Libya to mainland Europe resumed in January.

One of the country’s main international airports near the city of Benghazi has been closed since spring 2014 due to ongoing fighting in the city.