Libyan Wings (YL, Tripoli Mitiga) is planning to either lease or purchase an A320 to add to its existing fleet of two A319-100s. Speaking to Arabian Aerospace, CEO Edgardo Badiali said despite the loads it has been seeing, Libyan Wings would also take an A319 or an A321. The latter type would be suitable for religious tourism traffic to Saudi Arabia, among other uses.

“In some ways, an A321 would be ideal, but we prefer to be a little more conservative – despite the load factors we’re running,” he said.

Libyan Wings is still locked in talks with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) concerning the future of a 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for three A350-900s and four A320neo. Although Badiali hinted that deliveries would likely be deferred, he did not specify any timeframes.

The privately-owned Libyan Wings currently serves Istanbul Atatürk and Tunis from Tripoli Mitiga. Libyan Wings has resumed flights from the Tripoli gateway following last week's brief cessation of operations brought on by interfactional fighting at Mitiga airport.