Buraq Air

Buraq Air, formally associated with El-Buraq Air Transport Inc., is a privately owned Libyan airline headquartered at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli. It was established on 22 October 2000 and began flying on 15 November 2001, making it the first privately owned airline established in Libya. The name refers to the buraq, the supernatural creature traditionally associated in Islamic belief with the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascent through the heavens. The airline’s principal business is passenger air transport. Its operations have included domestic Libyan services, scheduled international routes, charter flights, and flights supporting CHC-related operations. The carrier’s network has been shaped by Libya’s political and security environment. Its principal Tripoli base is Mitiga International Airport because Tripoli International Airport has remained unavailable for normal operations for several years. International flying has included links with Turkey, while previous network listings also recorded routes to destinations in North Africa, the Middle East, and southeastern Europe. Buraq Air’s operating history includes a major interruption during the Libyan Civil War. Following the imposition of a NATO-enforced no-fly zone under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, the airline suspended all flight operations on 17 March 2011. Aircraft remained visible at Tripoli International Airport during the conflict, including at least two Boeing 737-800 aircraft reported there in August 2011. The airline subsequently resumed operations, although its schedule and destination network have remained subject to changes in airport availability, security conditions, and demand. As listed in January 2021, Buraq Air operated or marketed services from Tripoli to Istanbul and offered charter flying to Turkish holiday and regional destinations including Antalya, Bodrum, Gazipaşa, İzmir, and Tekirdağ. Earlier destinations that were later terminated in the aftermath of the civil war included Aleppo, Alexandria, Cairo, Rabat, Sarajevo, and Tripoli International Airport. These changes illustrate the distinction between the carrier’s published network at a given time and its broader historical footprint. The airline has also operated Boeing 737-800 aircraft. In November 2025, Buraq Air announced the delivery of a single Embraer E190, which was reported to have arrived at Benghazi International Airport on 13 November 2025 and to be the first aircraft of that type to operate in Libya. The delivery represented a fleet-development step, although the available reference material does not establish a broader long-term fleet plan or detailed commercial deployment schedule. Captain Mohamed Bubeida is identified as Buraq Air’s chairman and chief executive officer. He is also described as an active airline pilot. Buraq Air remains a relatively small carrier whose identity is closely linked to Libyan private aviation, regional connectivity, charter activity, and the practical challenges of maintaining air services in a conflict-affected market.

Buraq Air was established on 22 October 2000 and commenced operations on 15 November 2001. Its creation made it the first privately owned airline in Libya. The company’s name is derived from the buraq, a figure in Islamic tradition associated with the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and subsequent ascent through the heavens. From its Libyan base, the airline developed a business combining passenger services with international and domestic operations, charter flying, and flights supporting CHC-related activity. Its operational footprint has varied over time. Historical destination listings included cities in Libya, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Turkey. By January 2021, the published network included Istanbul as a scheduled international destination and several Turkish airports served through charter operations, including Antalya, Bodrum, Gazipaşa, İzmir, and Tekirdağ. Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport served as the airline’s principal base because Tripoli International Airport was not operating as the country’s normal main airport. The Libyan Civil War had a direct effect on the airline. In connection with the conflict and the no-fly zone enforced by NATO under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, Buraq Air terminated all flight operations on 17 March 2011. At least two Boeing 737-800 aircraft were reported on the tarmac at Tripoli International Airport on 25 August 2011. The carrier later resumed operations, but its network and airport access continued to reflect Libya’s unstable security and infrastructure conditions. A significant safety-related incident occurred on 17 April 2013, when a Buraq Air Boeing 737-800 flying domestically from Benghazi was hit by gunfire while approaching Tripoli International Airport. The aircraft completed a normal landing. No injuries were reported and the damage was limited. Buraq Air has used Boeing 737-800 aircraft in its passenger operations. In November 2025, the airline announced the arrival of its sole Embraer E190 at Benghazi International Airport on 13 November. The aircraft was described as the first E190 to operate in Libya. The available reference material does not provide enough information to determine the aircraft’s full commercial role, future fleet size, or the airline’s long-term route strategy. Captain Mohamed Bubeida is identified as the company’s current chairman and chief executive officer and is also described as an active airline pilot. Buraq Air’s history is therefore defined by its pioneering position in Libyan private aviation, its reliance on regional and charter markets, and its repeated adaptation to conflict, airport disruption, and changing international access.

• 2025

  Embraer E190 delivered

  [1]Buraq Airen.wikipedia.org

  Buraq Air announced the delivery of its sole Embraer E190, which arrived at Benghazi International Airport on 13 November 2025.

• 2021

  Published network includes Turkey services

  [1]Buraq Airen.wikipedia.org

  The January 2021 destination listing included scheduled service to Istanbul and charter destinations in Turkey.

• 2013

  Aircraft hit by gunfire near Tripoli

  [1]Buraq Airen.wikipedia.org

  A Boeing 737-800 was struck by gunfire while approaching Tripoli International Airport but landed normally without reported injuries.

• 2011

  Flight operations suspended during the civil war

  [1]Buraq Airen.wikipedia.org

  Buraq Air terminated all flight operations on 17 March 2011 following the introduction of the Libya no-fly zone.

• 2001

  Commercial operations begin

  [1]Buraq Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline began operations on 15 November 2001, becoming the first privately owned airline in Libya.

• 2000

  Company established

  [1]Buraq Airen.wikipedia.org

  Buraq Air was established on 22 October 2000 as a privately owned Libyan airline.

A Libyan private airline focused on regional passenger connectivity, charter services, and operational support flying.

• Passenger air transport

  Scheduled passenger flights

  Buraq Air operates passenger services linking Libya with selected international destinations. The published January 2021 network identified Istanbul as a scheduled international destination and Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport as the principal Libyan base. Routes may vary according to airport access, security conditions, and operating demand.

• Charter air transport

  Charter flights

  Charter flying is an important part of Buraq Air’s documented activity. The January 2021 destination listing included Antalya, Bodrum, Gazipaşa, İzmir, and Tekirdağ in Turkey as charter destinations. The airline has also been described as operating additional charter services and flights supporting CHC-related activity.

• Aircraft fleet

  Boeing 737-800 operations

  Buraq Air has operated Boeing 737-800 aircraft for passenger services. At least two examples were reported at Tripoli International Airport during the 2011 conflict, and one aircraft was involved in the April 2013 gunfire incident while approaching Tripoli. The available material does not establish the complete historical fleet.

• Aircraft fleet · 2025

  Embraer E190

  In November 2025, Buraq Air announced the delivery of its sole Embraer E190. The aircraft arrived at Benghazi International Airport on 13 November and was described as the first E190 to operate in Libya. Its detailed route assignment and long-term fleet role are not specified in the available source material.

• 2025

  Add an Embraer E190 to the fleetProduct launch

  Background

  Buraq Air announced the arrival of a single Embraer E190 as part of its fleet development.

  Action taken

  The aircraft landed at Benghazi International Airport on 13 November 2025.

  Aftermath

  The E190 was described as the first aircraft of its type to operate in Libya. Further deployment details are not available in the reference material.

  Source

• 2011

  Suspend all flight operations during the no-fly zoneStrategy

  Background

  The Libyan Civil War and the NATO-enforced no-fly zone established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 made continued airline operations impossible.

  Action taken

  Buraq Air terminated all flight operations on 17 March 2011.

  Aftermath

  The airline later resumed operations, although its network remained affected by Libya’s security situation and airport availability.

  Source

1. 1Buraq Airen.wikipedia.org