Libyan Airlines (LN, Tripoli Mitiga) and sister carrier Afriqiyah Airways (8U, Tripoli Mitiga) are in talks with US and Canadian aircraft manufacturers for new aircraft required for their respective fleet renewal programmes.

Ali Elayan, the general manager of the airlines' parent firm, the Libyan African Aviation Holding Co., told Bloomberg newswire that Libyan Airlines is in talks with Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) to exchange eight of its CRJ900s for a mixture of newer A220-100s and CS300s. Canadian executives are expected in Tripoli this week to help seal the deal which could include six orders and four options.

For its part, Afriqiyah is in talks with Boeing (BOE, Washington National) over its B737 MAX programme as it looks to replace ten older A320s. Should an agreement be made, it would be the airline's first Boeing equipment.

Elayan said negotiations should be completed this year, with funding likely to come from local bank loans.

With additional A330-200s and A330-300s on order, the Libyan operators have set their collective sights on expanding into the long-haul intercontinental sector with New York JFK, Montréal Trudeau and Guangzhou among their immediate priorities.