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Since Libya has turned into ‘a no fly zone’, travelers booked with the country’s national carrier are facing a grave ordeal. Libya’s national airline Afriqiyah Airways has collapsed leaving hundreds of devastated passengers raising their voices for a full refund.

The Libyan based airline, Afriqiyah Airways offered flights to Tripoli the capital of the country, from London Gatwick airport alongside a vast network of flights from and to various other destinations in Western Africa.

At present there is no assurance of whether or not the airline will resume, if ever. However, one thing that is obvious is its not any time sooner. In this stature of political and national crises, the airline is also unable to set any due date, deadline or time limit for refund processes. The accounts are frozen, refund process halted and the airline, non-operational!

Although, Travel agencies have applied full refunds in cases where Afriqiyah Airways flight tickets were cancelled partly or fully, but the only indication Afriqiyah has given during past few days is “Refund of tickets booked before March 20^th, 2011” that is prior to US lead invasion of Libya.

The airline has abstained from commenting on whether or not any refunds will be paid for flights booked with Afriqiyah Airways after March 20^th, 2011.

At present, the carrier’s accounts are stated to be frozen and any kind of operational activity is impracticable. The worldwide GDS systems no longer hold records of reservations with Afriqiyah Airways. Also, Travel Agents are unable to establish contact with the affected airline.

Even though there have been signs of refunds possible for tickets booked prior invasion of Libya, but considering that the airline accounts are frozen, the refunds applied prior March 20 or those assumed to be ‘in pipeline’ may also take much longer to become achievable than in average cases where airlines go bankrupted. Until peace and stability is restored in Libya, the situation may remain unpromising for Afriqiyah Airways flight cancellation affecties.