A Libyan Airlines aircraft returned to Tripoli without passengers after Istanbul Airport’s operator, IGA, withheld ground services over unpaid debts.
The incident occurred on Friday, 29 August, when flight LN193, scheduled from Istanbul to Tripoli, was cancelled despite the airline transferring half of its outstanding payment earlier in the week. With no ground handling provided, the plane departed Istanbul completely empty, leaving scores of passengers stranded.
In a statement on Saturday, Libyan Airlines apologised to affected travellers, describing the situation as “unprecedented” in its history. The national carrier emphasised that the cancellation was beyond its control and pledged to fully refund ticket costs through its offices in Libya.
To ease passenger frustrations, the airline also promised a special discount on future bookings for those impacted.
The company reiterated that passenger safety and service quality remain its “top priority” while assuring that it is working to resolve the dispute, maintain flight regularity, and develop alternative solutions for unexpected disruptions.9
This development highlights the operational and financial challenges facing airlines in the region, particularly amid rising international service costs and ongoing financial constraints within Libya’s aviation sector.
