Libyan Wings has reached an agreement with Lufthansa Technik for the provision of MRO services ahead of the airline's planned launch.
The privately owned Libyan carrier took delivery of its first two Airbus A319s in Malta last month.
Lufthansa Technik Malta will now maintain the aircraft in flight-ready condition while Libyan Wings awaits final clearance to begin operations out of Mitiga International airport, Tripoli's second gateway.
"This arrangement with Lufthansa Technik is another demonstration of Libyan Wings' commitment to ensure the most reliable and safe operation of its aircraft, in order to provide regional connectivity to strategic destinations in the Middle East and North Africa region," says operating chief Mike McTighe.
Although he predicts the deal will "enable us to expand into Europe", all Libyan carriers have since December 2014 been banned from EU airspace.
McTighe does not say how he expects to sidestep the country's blacklisting. Flag carriers Afriqiyah Airways and Libyan Airlines had previously relied on wet leases and flags of convenience to bypass earlier, less formal restrictions by Brussels.
But at present no domestic or foreign carriers are operating nonstop services between Libya and Europe.
The country was thrown into turmoil last summer when its internationally recognised government lost control of Tripoli. Two competing parliaments now claim sovereignty over Libya, each backed by militias which have targeted civil aviation assets with ground and aerial fire.
Libyan Wings' proposed base, Mitiga airport, was bombed by forces loyal to the ousted government in November.
Most other major airports have also been attacked. The air force academy near Misrata airport was bombed in December, prompting the suspension of Turkish Airlines flights. Tripoli International airport and Benghazi's Benina airport are both closed, having sustained damage in fighting last year.
Libyan Wings was unveiled in November 2013, before the latest wave of unrest, when it signed a memorandum of understanding which covered three A350-900s and four A320neos.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
