Tripoli evacuation flights

Jat and B&H operating evacuation flights to Tripoli

Chaos has gripped the North African country of Libya, a temporary home for thousands of EX-YU nationals working mostly as construction workers, company representatives and hospital personnel. Libyans are revolting against Colonel Muammar el Gaddafi, who has ruled the country with an iron fist for the past 4 decades. Three Jat Airways aircraft were dispatched to Tripoli yesterday to evacuate Serbian and Montenegrin citizens, while B&H Airlines will operate an evacuation flight today.

Yesterday morning 3 Jat Airways Boeing B737-300s left Belgrade. The aircraft were expected to have a short stay at Tripoli Airport but were stranded for hours in the city as total chaos ensued at Libya’s main airport. One American who reached Vienna on a flight from Libya told the Associated Press the scene at Tripoli Airport was "total chaos", adding: "The airport was mobbed, you wouldn't believe the number of people”. Jat’s first two flights evacuated mostly women and children. Some 1.500 Serbian nationals reside in Libya working mostly in hospitals and construction sites. The airline has said it is prepared to operate additional evacuation flights to Tripoli if needed. Tonight, the Serbian carrier will operate its scheduled service to Tripoli via Malta, Vladimir Ognjenović, the airline’s CEO confirmed. The flight will operate under its normal routing, Belgrade – Malta – Tripoli – Belgrade.

Meanwhile, the Libyan based Buraq Air planned to operate its scheduled service to Sarajevo last night but the service was cancelled. B&H Airlines originally planned to operate an evacuation flight yesterday but was not granted clearance by the Libyan authorities. Nevertheless, the airline has been granted rights to operate an evacuation flight today with its Airbus A319. Buraq Air will also operate a special service today from Tripoli to Sarajevo.

Croatia Airlines operated a special charter flight to Tripoli on Wednesday night to evacuate its citizens. A Montenegrin naval vessel will evacuate EX-YU nationals from cities such as Benghazi where the airport has been destroyed.