Air Malta said its flights to Tripoli will remain suspended.

The closure of Libyan airspace has reduced air traffic over Malta as aircraft avoid the central Mediterranean corridor, according to the chief air traffic controller.

Brigadier Carm Vassallo, chief executive at Malta Air Traffic Services, said any air traffic between Europe and Africa had to avoid Libya and this meant aircraft were diverted over Egypt and Tunisia.

The closure of Libyan airspace came soon after Tripoli airport was closed on Sunday when rival militias battled for control. The decision was taken by Libyan air traffic controllers but communicated internationally by Malta.

The service will resume when it is safe and secure to do so

“Since Malta’s airspace happens to be above Libya’s, any north-south traffic that used to pass over us is being lost. The Libyan airspace closure has hit us badly because it also means loss of revenue,” Mr Vassallo said.

Asked whether there was any indication of when the Libyan airspace would re-open, Mr Vassallo said it was difficult to say.

Although in the past Tripoli airport had been closed, the decision to close the Libyan airspace is a more drastic move, he added.

The most recent turmoil that has gripped the Libyan capital was described as “a serious blow” by a Maltese businessman. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, owns a company that conducts business between Malta and Libya.

He said Tripoli airport’s closure would have a negative impact on trade and prevent Libyans living in Malta travelling back and forth.

“It is a serious blow because many Libyans fly to Malta to source small spare parts and goods. Many businessmen also use Malta as a transit point to Europe and other places since the number of international flights are limited,” he said.

A business executive who also spoke on condition of anonymity said he was more worried the fighting would spill over to the port.

His company facilitates trade to and from Libya.

“A flight can be postponed but you cannot simply postpone the transhipment of goods by sea. We have a ship that is expected to dock in Tripoli with supplies and although the port area is quiet, the situation is very tense,” he said.

Libyan in-fighting has continued ever since rebels who ousted the Muammar Gaddafi dictatorship split into tribal and regional factions.

Tripoli airport was under the control of the powerful Zintani brigade but their supremacy was challenged by a militia from Misurata on Sunday.

Gunfire is believed to have damaged some planes that were parked on the apron, according to The Libya Herald, an independent newspaper.

The newspaper quoted sources saying that two Afriqiyah Airways planes were hit in the fighting and that one, an Airbus A330, was damaged beyond repair. The central government condemned the airport attack but it lacks the authority and law enforcement capacity to bring order as militias vie for power and resources.

Meanwhile, Air Malta yesterday said its flights to Tripoli airport will remain suspended because of security concerns.

“The service will resume when it is safe and secure to do so.”

The airline said customers booked on flights to Tripoli would be given a full refund of their tickets or the possibility to change their date of departure for free.