Afriqiyah Airways crash in Tripoli

An Airbus A330 passenger aircraft operated by Afriqiyah Airways crashed near Tripoli International Airport (HLLT/TIP) on 12 May 2010. Transportation officials in Libya stated that all but one of the 94 passengers and 11 crew members were killed in the crash of flight 8U771. The flight originated at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (FAJS/JNB) in South Africa and was scheduled to continue on to London Heathrow Airport (EGLL/LHR) after a short stopover in Tripoli. Reports indicate that the weather was clear in Tripoli at the time of the crash, and there have not yet been indications of what could have caused the mishap. The crash occurred as the aircraft was on its final approach to the airport. While it is possible that operations at the airport have been affected by the incident, the fact that the crash did not appear to directly impact the airport grounds likely means that there will be minimal impact to flight schedules.