🇱🇾 Sirt International Airport / Ghardabiya Airbase

Sirt International Airport / Ghardabiya Airbase (IATA: SRX, ICAO: HLGD) is a dual-function military and public airport located 15 kilometers south of Sirte, Libya.

Type of facility and operations: It serves as a military airbase for the Libyan Air Force, housing the 1124th Bomber Squadron and 1st Fighter-Bomber Squadron, which operate Su-22 aircraft, and also uses Aero L-39 Albatros for counterinsurgency missions. Additionally, it incorporates facilities for civilian use. The airport has two asphalt runways, both 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) long. It is designed to handle up to 500,000 passengers per year.

Notable features or history: The airbase played a role in the First Gulf of Sidra Incident, with two Libyan Su-22s taking off from there to attack U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats. During the First Libyan Civil War in 2011, the airbase was targeted by U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers and U.S. Navy Tomahawk cruise missiles. All flights were suspended during this conflict. In May 2015, during the Second Libyan Civil War, ISIL militants took control of the airport, but pro-Libyan government fighters recaptured it in June 2016. In January 2020, forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar took control of the airbase.

Current status: After being out of service since 2013 due to damage and instability, the Gulf of Sirte International Airport officially reopened on October 26, 2025, with operations resuming on October 25, 2025. The reopening followed extensive restoration and modernization work managed by the National Development Agency. The airport has since received passenger flights from Tripoli and Benghazi.

*Sources researched: avionews.it, en.wikipedia.org, ourairports.com*