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The Tripoli-based Libyan government has announced that Lufthansa International Consulting has been formally accredited to oversee the creation of a new state-owned airline. The decision was revealed during a meeting in Tripoli on Monday by the founding committee of the proposed carrier, which is yet to be named.
The high-level meeting was chaired by Mohammed Al-Shahoubi, Minister of Transport and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based government. He was joined by Mustafa Al-Mana, head of the Executive Team of the Prime Minister’s Initiatives and Strategic Projects, Mohamed Shalibek, head of the Civil Aviation Authority, Idris Kashkar, a committee member, and other officials.
According to the government statement, Lufthansa Consulting will provide technical and strategic advisory services to ensure the new airline is established according to international standards. The consultancy will prepare feasibility studies, apply corporate governance principles, and ensure quality assurance across operational services. Officials stressed that the goal is to create a competitive airline that meets global safety and service benchmarks while tapping into Libya’s strategic location as a regional air transport hub.
The announcement forms part of wider government efforts to revive the aviation sector in the country. Authorities said the move is linked to the under-construction Tripoli International Airport, which the government hopes to turn into a modern gateway capable of connecting North Africa with Europe, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa. Plans also include upgrading other airports in the country to improve connectivity and service delivery.
Libya’s civil aviation sector has faced years of disruption due to conflict, sanctions, and internal divisions. The Tripoli government believes that revamping the industry will not only strengthen connectivity but also stimulate the wider economy, create jobs, and improve international confidence in Libyan infrastructure. Officials also say the new airline is part of a broader vision to position the country as a reliable player in global aviation.
However, questions remain about the rationale behind creating a third state airline when Libya already has two government-owned carriers—Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways. Both airlines are heavily subsidised, overstaffed, and face financial and operational challenges, raising doubts about sustainability. Observers say the government will need to clarify whether the new carrier will replace the existing airlines, merge with them, or operate alongside them.
Industry analysts point out that launching a new airline is capital-intensive and risky without addressing structural inefficiencies in the aviation sector. But government officials argue that fresh leadership and international expertise from Lufthansa Consulting could be the reset needed to turn Libya into a serious aviation player in the region.
The involvement of Lufthansa Consulting, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Group with decades of experience advising airlines globally, is seen as an attempt to signal credibility to international partners and potential investors. The consultancy has worked with several emerging markets to restructure airlines, design strategic plans, and align carriers with global aviation standards.
For Libya, the new airline project is being tied to economic recovery and strategic positioning. With its central location in North Africa and proximity to Europe and the Middle East, officials say the country has the potential to become a regional transit hub if it can stabilise its aviation sector.
The Tripoli government has not yet provided a timeline for when the new airline will be officially launched or how it will coexist with Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways. But the meeting marks the first concrete step toward the project, with Lufthansa Consulting expected to begin feasibility and planning work immediately.
Analysts believe the success of the project will depend not only on financial backing and technical planning but also on political stability and regulatory reforms to ensure safe, reliable, and competitive services.
