Airline codes
8U · AAW
IATA · ICAO · callsign “AFRIQIYAH”
Afriqiyah’s IATA code is 8U, its ICAO code is AAW, and the radio callsign is AFRIQIYAH. Type 8U and your flight number into a status search to follow an Afriqiyah flight.
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Afriqiyah Airways (8U) Guide
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A practical guide to Afriqiyah: the network from MJI, the Airbus A320 and the rest of the fleet, luggage rules, check-in and cheaper fares. Ask a question
In short
Afriqiyah Airways is a Libyan state-owned airline founded in 2001 and based in Tripoli, with Mitiga International as its hub. It flies a small Airbus A319, A320 and A330 fleet within Libya and to North Africa and the Middle East, mainly serving travellers to and from Libya. It is not in an alliance, its loyalty programme is called Rahal, and it does not fly to the EU.
Afriqiyah Airways is a Libyan state-owned airline based in Tripoli, established in 2001. It once flew across Africa, the Middle East and Europe, but its network has been heavily affected by the conflict in Libya: Tripoli International Airport closed in 2014 and Libyan airlines do not fly to the EU.
Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Afriqiyah Airways. Flights to and from Libya are affected by security conditions and EU restrictions, so check government travel advice and confirm your flight directly with the airline.
What to expect
Afriqiyah Airways (IATA: 8U, ICAO: AAW) is a state-owned Libyan airline based in Tripoli. It flies a small Airbus fleet from Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli and from Benina in Benghazi, and it mainly serves people travelling between Libya and nearby countries in North Africa, the Middle East and Turkey.
Founding in 2001 and state ownership
Afriqiyah was set up in April 2001 and flew its first scheduled service on 1 December 2001. It is wholly owned by the Libyan state through the Libyan African Aviation Holding Company (LAAHC), which also controls Libyan Airlines. Together the two are the country's main carriers.
Why it flies from Mitiga
Tripoli International Airport, the airline's original base, was badly damaged in fighting in July 2014. Rockets hit two Afriqiyah Airbus A330s parked there on 20 July 2014, and one was destroyed. The airport has stayed closed to passenger and cargo flights since then, so Tripoli departures moved to Mitiga. Benina (Benghazi), Misrata and Sebha are also listed as operating bases, which matters in a country where long road journeys between east, west and south are slow.
About 20 destinations after the cutbacks
The route map is far smaller than in the years when Afriqiyah flew as far as Johannesburg. Published records list about 20 destinations. Services now centre on Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey and a handful of Arab and African cities, and timetables change at short notice. Afriqiyah does not fly into EU airspace, and travellers heading to Europe connect in Tunis, Istanbul or another hub.
The long-delayed merger with Libyan Airlines
Libya has long planned to merge Afriqiyah and Libyan Airlines. The plan stalled after 2014, and by September 2026 the government was working on a new combined brand, Libyan United Airlines, with no firm launch date.
Booking and travel
Afriqiyah sells tickets through its website, its offices and travel agents, and an interline agreement with Hahn Air lets some agents issue its tickets on a neutral ticket stock. The frequent flyer scheme is referred to as Rahal in some records and Afriqiyah Club in others, so ask the airline which name and rules apply when you enrol. Confirm your flight time close to departure and read your government's travel advice for Libya before booking.
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Good to know
- Founded2001
- Other gatewaysBEN / MRA / SEB
Everything you should know
At a glance
Afriqiyah Airways (IATA: 8U, ICAO: AAW) is a Libyan state-owned airline based in Tripoli. Founded in 2001, it flies a small Airbus A319, A320 and A330 fleet from Mitiga and other Libyan airports; its network has shrunk since the Libyan conflict and it does not fly to the EU.
| Headquarters | Tripoli, Libya |
|---|---|
| Fleet types | Airbus A319, A320 and A330-300 |
| Frequent flyer | Rahal |
| Official website | afriqiyah.aero |
Flight routes
Destinations and routes
Where Afriqiyah flies, grouped by region, with the fares listed on bookingMentor and a route guide where we have one.
Search flights
The destinations of Afriqiyah are being added
Search flights to see where Afriqiyah flies today.
Fleet and aircraft
As of July 2026 the fleet stood at eight Airbus aircraft: one A319, five A320s and two A330-300s. The A319s and A320s fly regional routes, and the wide-body A330s are used where demand is higher.
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Airbus A319 Narrow-body · 1 in service Regional routes
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Airbus A320 Narrow-body · 5 in service Domestic and regional routes
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Airbus A330-300 Wide-body · 2 in service Busier regional routes
Cabin classes
The Afriqiyah cabin classes are being added
Choose your cabin when you search; each fare shows what it includes.
Rahal
Earn points on 8U flights with Rahal, which you can join on the Afriqiyah website.
Afriqiyah’s frequent flyer programme lets members collect points on its flights. Check the airline directly for current rules.
Baggage allowance
Afriqiyah does not give every passenger the same allowance: the route, the cabin and the fare you buy each change it. Your 8U e-ticket shows what you have.
Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Set by your fare
Extra bags
Add online before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only
Afriqiyah publishes its allowances by route and fare, and the figure is printed on your e-ticket. Flights to Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey can differ from domestic Libyan flights, so check with the airline office or your agent if the ticket is unclear.
Pro tip: keep a printed copy of your e-ticket showing the allowance, because schedule changes can move you onto a different flight number.
Travel day
Online Check-in
Afriqiyah check-in comes down to four steps, from checking in online to dropping your bags at Mitiga International.
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Step 1
Check in online
Use afriqiyah.aero to check in for eligible flights. Have your Afriqiyah booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.
Booking ref + surname -
Step 2
Prepare your documents
International Afriqiyah passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires. Domestic 8U passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.
Passport · visa · ID -
Step 3
Arrive early
Each airport has its own Afriqiyah check-in and bag-drop deadline, listed in your booking. Allow extra time for busy terminals and international 8U departures.
Check your deadline -
Step 4
Drop your bags
Hand in checked luggage at the Afriqiyah counter or bag drop, then keep your boarding pass and passport ready for security and the gate.
Afriqiyah counter
Ready to check in?
Check in and manage your booking on the official Afriqiyah website.
Save money
Cheap tickets
Afriqiyah fares out of Tripoli move with the season and the fare brand. These habits help keep the price down.
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01
Look across the week
Compare a full week of Afriqiyah departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.
Midweek flights -
02
Steer clear of peak weeks
Afriqiyah prices climb around school holidays and big festivals. Flying a few days before or after the rush usually helps.
School holidays · festivals -
03
Check what each Afriqiyah fare includes
The lowest 8U fare is not always the cheapest trip once bags and seats are added. Compare the fare types before you pay.
Baggage & changes -
04
Book busy Afriqiyah routes early
Popular Afriqiyah flights fill the cheaper fares first, so give yourself several weeks of lead time on busy routes.
Popular routes -
05
Join Rahal
Add a Rahal number to your booking so points from your 8U flights are credited.
Before you fly -
Ready to compare fares?
Search Afriqiyah alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.
Search Afriqiyah flights
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Visitors are asking
8U is the IATA code you see on tickets and departure boards. AAW is the ICAO code used in air traffic control, and pilots use the radio callsign AFRIQIYAH.
Its main hub is Mitiga International (MJI) in Tripoli, and its head office is in Tripoli, Libya.
No, Afriqiyah is independent of the three global alliances.
Its fleet (as of July 2026) is made up of Airbus A319, A320 and A330-300.
Yes, it is called Rahal. Give your Rahal number when you book so the flight is added to your points balance.
Not at present. Libyan airlines, including Afriqiyah, do not fly to the EU.
Look at your e-ticket or Manage Booking on afriqiyah.aero. The figure depends on your 8U route, cabin and fare type.
Still looking?
Get an answer from the bookingMentor travel team and travellers who have flown Afriqiyah.
Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Everything travellers ask before flying Afriqiyah Airways.
Answers checked against Afriqiyah’s official website and published airline records. Reviewed 10 October 2026.
General
Mostly from Mitiga International in Tripoli, which took over after Tripoli International Airport closed to passenger flights in 2014. Some flights use other Libyan airports, so check the departure airport on your ticket.
No. Afriqiyah does not fly into EU airspace, so European routes are no longer part of its network. Check the airline's current schedule for any routes outside Libya.
The fleet is made up of Airbus aircraft: the A319, the A320 and the wide-body A330. The total fleet is small, so a single aircraft out of service can affect schedules.
Baggage rules depend on your fare and route. Check the allowance printed on your ticket or confirm it with Afriqiyah Airways or your booking agent before you travel, so you know what you can bring without extra charges.
Tripoli International Airport has been closed to passenger flights since fighting damaged it in July 2014. Afriqiyah moved its Tripoli flights to Mitiga International Airport.
The Libyan state owns it through the Libyan African Aviation Holding Company, which also owns Libyan Airlines.
Published records list about 20 destinations, centred on Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey and a handful of Arab and African cities. Timetables change at short notice, so check before you book.
Book Afriqiyah or another carrier to a hub such as Tunis or Istanbul and connect there to a European flight.
Afriqiyah Airways is headquartered in Tripoli, Libya. Its main hub is Mitiga International.
The Afriqiyah Airways frequent flyer programme is Rahal. How members earn and spend points is explained in the Rahal section of this guide.
Getting there
Libyan authorities have planned to merge Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines into a single carrier called Libyan United Airlines. As of September 2026 no firm dates for the merger had been set, and both airlines continued to fly under their own names.
Afriqiyah Airways uses the IATA code 8U and the ICAO code AAW. Its radio callsign is AFRIQIYAH.
Check in on afriqiyah.aero. The Check-in section of this guide walks through it in 4 steps.
No, Afriqiyah Airways is not a member of Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam.
Booking
Eight, as of July 2026: one Airbus A319, five Airbus A320s and two Airbus A330-300s.