The Libyan airline MedSky Airways has suspended its internal flight operations and its only aircraft, a Airbus A320-200, to the original operator Malta MedAir The aircraft, registration 5A-MSB, was transferred from Tripoli to Malta on July 30, 2025.
This move signals a strategic shift for the Libyan airline, which now relies entirely on the wet lease model. MedSky Airways will no longer operate its own fleet and will instead rely on chartered aircraft from partner airlines to maintain its flight schedules. The decision raises questions about the company's long-term strategy in a challenging market environment.
An aircraft returns: The end of internal operations
The Airbus A320-200 with registration 5A-MSB, which has been flying under the MedSky Airways brand since 2022, is back on Malta MedAir's Air Operator Certificate (AOC). This was confirmed to ch-aviation by Paul Bugeja , Chief Executive Officer of Malta MedAir. The aircraft, a 2010 model with CFM International CFM56 engines, is scheduled to return to service at the end of the month under the new registration 9H-MSB to operate MedSky Airways under a wet-lease agreement.
The history of this aircraft reflects the volatile aviation landscape in the region. Between 2010 and 2018, the A320 was operated by Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia , before joining Kuwait Airways ' fleet in 2019. In July 2022, Malta MedAir acquired the aircraft, only to transfer it to MedSky a few months later, in November of the same year. The aircraft features a two-class cabin, accommodating 120 passengers in Economy Class and 12 in Business Class. The ownership history of the aircraft is noteworthy, as it remains the property of MedSky Airways, according to data from ch-aviation.
MedSky Airways' decision to return the aircraft and thus cease operations came as a surprise. The airline, which declined to comment when contacted, now operates exclusively with two other A320-200s, leased from Buraq Air and Malta MedAir .
Wet leasing as a business model: opportunities and risks
Wet leasing, or renting an aircraft including crew, maintenance, and insurance, is a common business model in the aviation industry. It offers airlines that need to quickly adjust their capacity with a high degree of flexibility. In a politically and economically unstable environment such as Libya, this model can be particularly advantageous. It allows MedSky Airways to operate its route network without the high fixed costs associated with owning its own fleet.
MedSky Airways' current route network includes flights from Tripoli to Istanbul, Malta, Milan-Malpensa, Rome-Fiumicino, and Tunis. Flights are also offered from Benghazi to Rome-Fiumicino and from Misrata to Tunis. The wet-lease model allows the airline to operate these routes flexibly and efficiently.
However, this business model also carries risks. The airline is dependent on its partners. Should these partners terminate their contracts or require the aircraft for their own purposes, MedSky Airways could face a sudden capacity gap. Furthermore, it lacks the long-term planning security that comes with its own fleet. MedSky's management must strike a balance between flexibility and stability to survive in a highly competitive market.
A look at Libyan aviation: A sector in transition
Libyan aviation has been struggling with the consequences of the civil war for years. Libyan airspace was at times closed to international flights, and airports were repeatedly the scene of fighting. State-owned airlines like Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways are grappling with aging fleets and financial problems. Libyan airlines struggle to meet international standards, which also impacts the maintenance and operation of their aircraft.
MedSky Airways' business model could therefore be a pragmatic response to these challenging conditions. Instead of investing in new aircraft and expensive maintenance infrastructure, the airline leverages the capabilities of partners who have the necessary certifications and equipment.
In the long term, it remains to be seen whether this model is sustainable. For MedSky Airways, it could be an interim solution until the political and economic situation in Libya stabilizes and building its own, modern fleet becomes a realistic option again. Until then, the airline's success will depend largely on partnerships and operational efficiency.