Private jet to Libya

A private flight to Libya is never a routine booking. Whether an aircraft can land in Tripoli, Misrata or Benghazi depends on the status of the airspace, the approval of the operator, war-risk insurance that covers the route and the Libyan landing permit, and each of these can change at short notice. Many European governments advise against travel to Libya, and EASA, the EU aviation safety agency, keeps a conflict zone information bulletin in force for the Tripoli flight information region, which covers the whole country.

We check every request against these points and tell you plainly what can be flown. Many European operators do not accept flights to Libyan airports, so this page gives prices to the three nearest regularly served airports: Malta, Tunis and Istanbul. Scheduled airlines connect them with Libyan airports, and travellers who decide to continue book that leg themselves.

Tell us the purpose of the trip, the dates and the number of passengers, and we reply with what can be arranged and the price.

What we check for every request

Prices to Malta, Tunis and Istanbul

Each price is for the whole aircraft, one way, with an aircraft available near the departure airport, plus handling, airport charges and passenger taxes. The flight time is that of the first aircraft in the row. The rows are spread over the three airports:

Rome - Malta is the shortest row: 1:27 h in a CJ3 for EUR 10,000. Nice - Tunis costs EUR 10,500, Zurich - Tunis and Milan - Malta EUR 12,000, and London - Malta EUR 16,000. From Vienna, Istanbul costs EUR 12,500, from Munich EUR 14,000. A Challenger 350 with room for nine and full luggage costs EUR 27,000 from London to Malta.

Malta, Tunis and Istanbul airport and handling charges are listed in the quote. The departure country adds its own tax: France about EUR 1,015 per passenger on a jet and EUR 675 on a turboprop, because Libya lies beyond the European band, where a jet pays about EUR 420; Italy EUR 100 per passenger up to 1,500 km and EUR 200 beyond, charged on flights to and from Italy; Austria EUR 12 (EUR 30 up to 350 km). Germany and Norway charge departure taxes. British Air Passenger Duty does not apply to aircraft under 5.7 t, jets of 20 t or more with fewer than 19 seats pay the higher private-jet rate and other jets the standard rate for the distance. The Netherlands taxes passengers on aircraft of 5.7 t or more, and Sweden has no passenger tax.

Business jet price per flight hour

Heavy Jets from EUR 8,300 / hour

Light Jets from EUR 3,200 / hour

Ultra Long Range Jets from EUR 12,000 / hour

Super Midsize Jets from EUR 6,300 / hour

Very Light Jets from EUR 2,500 / hour

Long Range Jets from EUR 9,800 / hour

Midsize Jets from EUR 4,500 / hour

Turboprops from EUR 2,000 / hour

Price per person

The aircraft is hired as a whole, so the share per seat falls with each passenger:

Calculator

The calculator gives an indicative price to Malta, Tunis or Istanbul; mention the onward plans in the comment.

Airports on both sides

The three airports we fly to are chosen for what happens next:

Mitiga is the civil airport for Tripoli, as Tripoli International is closed. Scheduled services link these airports with Malta, Tunis, Istanbul and other cities, and they can be cancelled at short notice, so a flexible ticket and a spare day in the plan are sensible.

Which aircraft

• Two to six passengers with normal luggage: a Citation CJ3 or Phenom 300, non-stop from every hub in the table.
• More luggage or room to work: a Citation XLS+ or one of the midsize jets.
• Groups of eight to ten with full luggage: a Challenger 350.
• Short hops between Malta, Sicily and Tunis: a Pilatus PC-12 turboprop.

To discuss a trip, leave your number and a consultant will call you.

When to fly: the year month by month

The calendar is shaped by the three airports rather than by Libya: Malta is busiest from June to September, Tunis in summer and over the holidays, and Istanbul all year. Spring and autumn are the easiest months for slots and aircraft. Empty Legs are most frequent to and from Malta in summer. In Libya and Tunisia offices keep shorter hours during Ramadan, which falls about eleven days earlier each year.

Empty Legs

Aircraft that bring passengers to Malta, Tunis or Istanbul often return to western Europe empty, most often in summer and at the end of the holidays. The operator sets the date and time, so an Empty Leg suits a flexible plan. Send your direction and dates to empty-legs@jets.flights.

Dogs and cats

Your pet flies in the cabin beside you, with the operator's approval in advance. To Malta the EU rules apply: microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and an EU pet passport, up to five animals per person, and dogs are treated against tapeworm 1-5 days before landing in Malta.

Documents and entry rules

Before departure

• Decide the airport by the onward plan: Malta, Tunis or Istanbul.
• Passports valid well beyond the trip, and visas where needed.
• Names and passport numbers early, for permits and slots.
• Travel insurance that covers your whole itinerary.
• A flexible ticket and a spare day for any scheduled leg.

How to book

1. Send the purpose of the trip, the dates and the number of passengers.
2. We check what can be flown and recommend Malta, Tunis or Istanbul.
3. You receive 2-4 aircraft options with operator and the price for the whole aircraft.
4. You sign the contract with the operator, and the handler requests the permit or slot.
5. The flight lands at the chosen airport, where a car or a hotel can be arranged.

Questions about private flights and Libya

• • Can you fly us directly to Tripoli or Benghazi?

  • We check every request, but many European operators do not accept flights to Libyan airports, and a flight is offered only when the airspace, the operator, the insurance and the permit are all confirmed. In most cases we fly you to Malta, Tunis or Istanbul.

• • How much does a flight to Malta or Tunis cost?

  • From EUR 10,000 one way for a CJ3 from Rome to Malta. Nice - Tunis costs EUR 10,500 and London - Malta EUR 16,000, for the whole aircraft.

• • Which of the three airports is best?

  • Malta is closest to the Libyan coast, Tunis is usually the cheapest from western Europe, and Istanbul has the widest choice of scheduled connections to Libya.

• • How long is the flight to Malta?

  • About 3:25 h from London in a Citation CJ3, 2:06 h from Milan and 1:27 h from Rome.

• • Do we need a visa for Libya?

  • Yes, from a Libyan embassy before travel. Malta, Tunisia and Turkey have their own rules, set out above.

• • What is the time difference?

  • Libya is on UTC+2 all year: two hours ahead of London in winter and one hour ahead in summer.

• • Can my dog travel with us?

  • Yes, to Malta, Tunis or Istanbul in the cabin, under each country's rules. For Libya the embassy confirms the conditions.

• • Are there Empty Legs?

  • Yes, mostly to and from Malta in summer and back to western Europe after the holidays. Write to empty-legs@jets.flights.