Mitiga Airport is an international airport located approximately 8 kilometers east of Tripoli, the capital of Libya.
The airport has a diverse international history and is known by various names. It was originally built in 1923 as an Italian air force base called aeroporto militare di Mallaha. It became a German airbase during World War II. The airbase was captured by the British 8th Army in January 1943 and transferred to the control of the U.S. Army Air Forces, called Mallaha AAF, until 1945, when it was renamed Wheelus Air Base for a U.S. airman killed that year. American use continued until the 1969 Libyan coup and subsequent lease expiration. When the Americans left, the name of the base was changed to Okba Ben Nafi Air Base, the Islamic general who conquered North Africa. It was used by both the Libyan and Soviet air forces. The United States bombed the base during Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986. In 1995 the airbase was converted into a second civilian airport for Tripoli and given its current name. In the same year, a VIP lounge was opened for private jet passengers as part of the renovation works at the port.
Tripoli Mitiga private jet charter prices
Although Libya air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Tripoli are as follows.
| Midsize Jet | 24.900 EUR |
| Heavy Jet | 34.950 EUR |
| Long Range Jet | 44.550 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
Mitiga Airport history full of wars
The airport was first built in 1923 by the Italian Air Force as Mallaha Air Base. Mallaha was used by the German Luftwaffe during the North African Campaign, the Germans used it for short-range reconnaissance units as well as coastal and sea reconnaissance units.
The airbase was captured by the British 8th Army in January 1943. The US Army Air Forces began using Mallaha as a base in January 1943. The base was used by the 376th Bombardment Group of the 12th Air Force for B-24 bombing missions to the southern regions of Italy and Germany.
On April 15, 1945, Mallaha AAF was taken over by the US Air Force Air Training Command. It was renamed Wheelus Army Airfield (AAF) on May 17, 1945, in honor of USAAF Lieutenant Richard Wheelus, who died in a plane crash in Iran earlier that year. During the USAF’s tenure, the base was expanded. A 1954 agreement with Libya extended the use of the base until 1971, but changing needs led the US to withdraw completely in 1970 and hand the facility over to the new Libyan government, which had seized power a year earlier in the 1969 Libyan coup.
After the US Air Force left in 1970, the base was renamed Okba Ben Nafi Air Base and served as the Libyan People’s Air Force (LPAF) facility. Additionally, aircraft and personnel of the Soviet Air Force resided on the base.
LPAF’s Soviet-made MiG-17/19/25 fighters and Tu-22 bombers were stationed at Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. In 1986 the base was one of the main targets of Operation El Dorado Canyon, a US retaliatory airstrike on Libya due to missile attacks on US aircraft over disputed territorial waters in the Mediterranean and Libya’s involvement in terrorist attacks on US troops in Europe.
After the cold war, Okba Ben Nafi was converted for civilian use and became Mitiga Airport in 1995. The airport was also home to Buraq Air’s headquarters. During the 2019-20 operation in Western Libya, the airport, held by military units loyal to the Government of National Accord, was repeatedly targeted by airstrikes by the opposition Libyan National Army to enforce the no-fly zone declared by the LNA a few days ago. On April 8, 2019, an airport spokesperson announced that the airport had to close due to airstrikes.
TunisAir became the first foreign airline to restart flights to the airport in May 2021.
Places to visit in Tripoli
Tripoli, which has been the crossing point of different cultures throughout history, is the largest and most developed city of Libya. The 7 most popular spots in the city are as follows:
The most important point of the city is Omar Mukhtar Street, named after the symbol who stood against the Italian occupation of the city, the city bazaar with jewelry stores, Tripoli Castle, the oldest monumental structure in Tripoli, the Tripoli Archaeological Museum, where the oldest artifacts of human history are exhibited, the En Naka Mosque, the oldest mosque in the world history and the country, Leptis Magna, where historical ruins are located, and the Medina, the oldest district of the city.
Transportation from Tripoli Mitiga airport to the city center
Taxis are the only alternative to reach the city center in the city where the public transportation network does not provide a healthy service. There are no taximeters in the taxis available 24/7 in front of the port and it is necessary to bargain with the drivers. In addition, there are few car rental offices within the port, but it is important to make a reservation before the flight.
