Despite claims of improved safety, concerns persist among Air France flight crew unions. The European Air Transport Authority has even recommended against flying over Libya due to ongoing risks. Yet, Air France asserts that the French Directorate General of Civil Aviation approved their flights along a specific corridor.

The context here is critical. The US Federal Aviation Authority lifted its flight ban over Libyan airspace back in March 2019, opening the door for airlines like Air France to reconsider their routes. By flying over Libya, Air France can save significant time on certain African routes — up to 47 minutes for Kinshasa and 52 minutes for Johannesburg.

This operational efficiency comes with its own set of challenges. Jet fuel prices have surged, leading Air France-KLM to cut its 2026 capacity growth outlook by nearly 3.8 percent. As a result, the airline’s share price has fluctuated — currently standing at 9.06 euros, down 26.2 percent year-to-date.

The internal conflict is evident. While Air France maintains that captains have the autonomy to decide flight paths — “the captain is the ultimate decisionmaker…” — unions argue that this places undue pressure on crews who may feel compelled to follow company directives.

The successful emergency landing by EgyptAir at Kufra airport recently helped allay some fears, encouraging more airlines to consider crossing Libya’s vast airspace. However, this does not erase the underlying tensions between operational demands and safety protocols.

As this situation develops, Air France has confirmed diversions during flights — such as flight AF174 being rerouted to Montréal due to a medical emergency on board.

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