Afriqiyah Airways transit via Tripoli

[Big Harvey]

Has anyone had recent experience of passing through Tripoli Airport as a transit passenger?

My understanding is that transit passengers don't require a Libyan visa as long as they're not leaving the airport. However, I gather there's a rule that has been reintroduced requiring people entering Libya to have a transcript of the details page of their passport stamped into it in Arabic. Does this apply to transit passengers?

[Gunship]

Hi Big Harvey,

I can confirm that you do not need a visa or an Arabic translation when you transit through Tripoli, Libya. You will not need to exit the airport anyway as you will transit a max of 3 hours (if everything is according to schedule - Inshalaha )

Look me up. I am at window number 1 after the security scan.

When are you flying ?

Cheers

Gunsss

[Big Harvey]

Thanks very much for that, Gunship!

I won't be flying out until New Year's Day next year, but if my friends decide to take this route, they'll be going in December.

The England cricket team are touring South Africa, and as always happens when England tour, I trawl around looking for the cheapest flights for myself and my fellow England fans. Cricket junkies at the lower end of the income scale need to save money where they can, and I've seen a very good-looking offer that's valid on a number of suitable dates involving Afriqiyah Airways' new Jo'burg route.

I double checked with the agentabout the visa situation (none required), but once I'd booked, I found the airline's website suggested the Arabic translation was necessary for everyone entering Tripoli Airport. I thought this sounded odd, because none of the reviews I've read on flight review sites or any of the posts on the Lonely Planet's Thorntree forum mentioned this.

Thanks for clearing this up.

[scottpe]

Just pray that you don't get stuck in the airport (for whatever reason, tech, wx etc), you will not be able to leave the transit lounge and it is very austere with extremely limited facilities! I'm sure Gunship will vouch for this. Incidentally GS have you come across Gulf Pearl, handlers?

[renfrew]

Have you come across the Skytrax site ?
There are some (mixed) reviews of Afriqiyah.

[Gunship]

Lo Big Harvey

Oh ok - no problem as I go on leave tomorrow so I am only back at the end of April.

Re JHB I must be honest I do not have a clue about the prices and I would really appreciate it if you could update me as well.

We just got a company mail (in Arabic) that says we are also Flying the Cape Town leg. (Take that as a rumor).
So yes 2 x A330's for delivery in May and JHB will be the first International route.

I wish you well and please believe me on the visa and translation side of things. It is my job.

Just in general ; Libya is not the only country wher eyou need an Arabic translation so if you are a rgular traveller get it done (is my tip).

Cheers and all the very best.

Gunss

[Gunship]

Lo scottpe

Once again I do not want to sound like I come up for my eployers but I could think of at least a 100 other transit lounges where I do not wish to be stuck.

What I can tell you (as this is a Afriqiyah Airways transit thread) is that should you be "stuck" at Tripoli and have to overnight Afriqiyah Airways will host you in a hotel in the city. All at their cost. (the exception are those countries that - and there is 5- for which you need 24 hour notice).

I am not sure when last you where here ... but the cafe / restaurant is good. (upgraded, clean and sparkly - I have never got sick in 4 years) The post office (int cafe) is brand new and re-opened a month ago. The shops are basic and do not compare to Schiphol for sure.

Should the flight be slighly delayed they normally produce food and drink for the pax. (sorry not my dept - just my observation).

Just remember they do what they can right now with 4 Billion E worth of new airport being build around the transit area you sit in. No mean feat. In 2010 this airport will be by far the best / newest / glamorious North of the equator in Africa.

I hope it helps ..

Cheers

Gunsss

[Big Harvey]

Thanks again for the info (and advice), Gunship. I might just get that translation done next time I'm in London.

Renfrew and scottpe, thanks, yes, I had read those mixed reviews, and yes, I am aware of the possibility of having to spend longer than expected in a possibly not very nice transit lounge. Had those reviews been really terrible, then I would probably not have chosen to go this way, but the fare was very cheap, and I decided on a calculated risk.

Of course, if it does go wrong, then it will be a bit of a false economy, but I'm the kind of person who still sees travel as a bit of an adventure, and bad things that happen are all part of the experience. As long as those things are not too bad, of course!

[Gunship]

Stats for the month of March : (from the forehead)

1-27 March 09 we where withing 30 minutes of departure time on 95% of our flights.
28 the one delay of 1 hour.
29 th .. all flights 2 hours delayed.
30 th : All departures on time (some early)

If you hear any more horror stories - ask me - I am there

Our biggest delays this year has been fog (due to no Cat 1)

That was a total of about 4 days and one day it meant a 6 hour delay after the aircraft had to divert to Matiga (in the city nexct to the sea) and Tunisia.

Cheers

Gunss

[scottpe]

tripoli transit!

Thanks for the update Gunship, probably did them a disservice as its 4 years (maybe) 5, since I last had experience of the TIP transit lounge. I was the Flt Mgr on an An124 carrying UN equipment + 3 pax to Haiti, we were tech for 2 days during which time the pax had to stay in the lounge (possibly natives of one of the five you speak of!). Our handlers had detailed one of their guys to ensure these pax were fed and watered, he didn't!! fortunately I'd given them an emergency $100 which just about kept them alive! He has been sacked as a direct result of my follow up report - I take no pleasure in this, but was amazed anyone could be so callous. In fairness TIP has improved in leaps and bounds since my first experiences there and any other flights I've done through there "sans" pax, have been treated as well as anywhere in the world. Mind you one hotel I never want to see again is the "Bab Al Bhar"!! apologies for the spelling. Hope you get your beer soon.

[LH2]

Hiya, sadly I haven't been there for two years now, but I can confirm TIP has improved considerably since the end of the embargo.

It is not a marvel, but it gets the job done all right: there is a cafe which serves decent sandwiches and refreshments, plenty of seating, a post office, and even an ATM.

****, I miss the place

[omaaa]

hey big harvey! you must keep us informed about ur plans! hopefully should be flying for Afriqiyah early 2010!

thanks Gunship for your inside info, its not always you hear the ins and outs from someone working in a Libyan Airport, I am hoping Afriqiyah make best use of the world cup in SA. Oh and good luck with the england cricket team!

cheers

[Dudubrown]

Hello

Hello: My name is Edu and I am travelling to Accra from London Gatwick via Tripoli with AfriqiyahAirlines. I will be on transit in Tripoli for 2 hours and as I know that Libya is very estrict with visas, I would like to know if you could help me by telling me If I would need to a pply for an airport transit visa or not. I am going to Accra to help with an ONG and I have not much time to do this process. Could you answer me as soon as possible please. Thank you so much in advance.

[enag]

Update on Afriqiyah flights and Tripoli airport (Transit)

Hi all,

I am planning our first trip from Belgium to Johannesburg in March/April this year. It would be the 5 of us, wife, me + 3 little kids. The best offer I found so far price wise was with Afriqiyah via Tripoli.

I am quite (very) hesitant about this because of the general sentiment caused by history towards Lybia, I do however want to look into this, because on 5 tickets this comes out to approx. 1000 Euros cheaper in total than with a "regular" airline (KLM/SWISS/BA,..).

I read the several posts on this thread, but since the last one is dated quite a while ago, I was hoping on some fresh renewed reviews with possible updates.

Any information/advice/review is highly appreciated!! Also would like to know a clear answer about the visa and/or arabic translation (or any other requirements), as well as any other do's and dont's (mentality, regulations, etc). Also would like to hear their treatment/behaviour towards the western world (this has not always been so friendly...)

Many thanks in advance!

[Big Harvey]

I arrived home from my trip yesterday and can report that everything went smoothly. In the end, due to health problems in the weeks leading up to my trip, I didn't get the Arabic transcript put into my passport, but like Gunship said, this was no problem.

The first three sectors were all more or less on time, the fourth was just under 30 minutes late, which still allowed me to get the same train home from Gatwick as I would have done had the flight arrived completely on time.

Airline food is rarely very good in economy, but Afriqiyah's seems to compare quite favourably with most, both in quality and quantity. My only criticism is that a couple of dishes were quite spicy. This was not a problem for me, since I love spicy food, but not everyone does, and a choice was not always offered. I was pleasantly surprised by the in-flight entertainment, which had a modern touch-screen interface, and seemed to be very reliable.

For me the only issue really was Tripoli Airport. The departure lounge is small, and not very comfortable. The toilets are in serious need of modernisation too. I was glad I didn't have to spend long there. The staff there were pleasant and helpful though, so it wasn't all bad.

I would certainly consider flying with Afriqiyah again, especially once the expansion of Tripoli Airport is complete, which I gather will be happening very soon.

[enag]

Expansion Tripoli airport??

Thanks Big Harvey for sharing your experiences! You mention the expansion of the Tripoli airport. Is this something actually happening or is it rather something you are wishing for...?

[Pegpilot]

Tripoli stopover

Sounds like the facilities on offer were considerably better than the quality of cricket in the final test. We're you tempted to re-book a day earlier coming home given the unexpected spare day off ?

[Flymecpt]

Flew with 8U last month ex SA, check out my review on my blog, www.blog.onlinetravel.co.za

[whalrus]

Transfer through Tripoli

Hey guys,

I booked a nice cheap flight to South-Africa about 2months ago with (embarresing face) Air Ariqiyah...(cough cough).
My flight is leaves from Dusseldorf and I have a 3hour transit in Tripoli... with the current commosion going on and my flight departing on the 14th of March;
What sort of chances might I have of successfully transfering?
My biggest concern is flight cancellation while I'm in Tripoli.

I called Air Afriqiyah for some assistance..........biggest joke in the world!


Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers guys

[rareair]

I would listen to the advice of your foreign ministry and insurance company over anyone on an internet forum!