>>Afriqiyah Airways' website
Airport officials said the plane left OR Tambo International Airport at 21:37 last night and was expected to land at 6:20am. The airline said they were waiting for authorisation and explanation from their head office.
"All we can say right now is that the plane crash landed on its final attempt to land," said an employee who would not be named.
Nomfonelo Kota from the Department of International Affaris told The Times they are still unsure how many passengers on the plane are South African.
A large number of British passengers were on board.
"A plane went missing en route to Tripoli. We are in discussion with the Civil Aviation Authority from both countries," was all Kota would said.
There were 100-120 passengers on the flight. More details will follow shortly.
For families with relatives on the flight call the helpline: 012 351 1000.
If you have any information about the flight or know anyone who may have been on it please email gulesn@sundaytimes.co.za
Details from
www.avcom.co.za , SA aviation website:
1. Afriqiyah Airbus 330 flight 8U 771 crashed just short of Runwaywy 09 in Tripoli
2. Aircraft was a new Airbus A330.
They have 3 A330's at this stage.
Will be one of the following registrations:
3. Weather was allegedly "not bad".
4. Two local (SA) aviation companies - AirQuarius and Global - were apparently sending employees to Heathrow, the aircraft's final destination after Tripoli.
The airline was running a special from Johannesburg to London, via Tripoli, from R2600 return (excluding tax) from September last year.
Strangely, the special offers page on the airline's website
www.afriqiyah.aero refers to Johannesburg as "Johansberg".
Airbus has offered its full technical assistance to the authorities investigating the crash.
Watch a video of landing at Tripoli International Airport
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