Afriqiyah seeks return of Euro-based A320s

Afriqiyah is seeking the return of its two A320-200s currently leased out to Lithuanian ACMI/charter specialist Small Planet Airlines, reports ch-aviation.
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5A-ONL, now LY-ONL, were dry-leased out to Small Planet in early 2015 to allow the Libyan carrier to continue service to the European Union (EU). When direct flights to the bloc were banned following the outbreak of the Second Libyan Civil War in 2014, the aircraft were kept with Small Planet Airlines.

The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Reconciliation Agreement has notified the Lithuanian Permanent Mission to the United Nations of Afriqiyah's intention to take back possession of the aircraft.

"Afriqiyah Airlines is no longer interested in renewing the lease for the above-mentioned aircraft, which ended in October 2017," said a report in a Libyan newspaper. "It, therefore, hopes to facilitate the return of the two aircraft to Libya and to cancel their registration with the Lithuanian Civil Aviation Authority."

The Libyans are asking Small Planet to pay the financial entitlements to which it is due in accordance with the contract between the parties. The funds are to be deposited into an account in Italy.