Several spooky American Dash 8 aircraft operate out of Malta to Libya
Malta is used as a base by several anonymous looking Dash 8 for flights to various destinations in Libya and nearby countries. The reason for these flights is yet unknown but is likely related to transport of diplomats.
Dash 8 N706XT has been flying from Malta since summer 2021. The aircraft is on paper owned by Darkwing Aviation LLC. It is probably flying for United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). AFRICOM is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany which explains why many US spooky aircraft visit Stuttgart first when heading towards Africa or the Middle East. More information on this aircraft here. Track the aircraft here. The aircraft hardly flies. After September 22 2024 it has not flown until now. JetPhotos linked N706XT to shell company Cimex Environmental because the ICAO code WVE is used for the flights of this aircraft.
Dash 8 N646CC operated by Opticap Aviation is currently also operating out of Malta to Libya. Specifically to Tripoli and Benghazi. The aircraft arrived at Malta at September 22, 2024. This aicraft is all white and has no titles. At October 14 it flew from Malta to Benghazi and Tripoli. Track the aircraft here.
The aircraft joined sistership N637CC (hex code A857F2 ) which is also operated by Opticap Aviation and which has been flying connecting Malta, Benghazi & Tripoli for a few months. The most recent flight out was at October 7, 2024. It is using the WVE code in flightplan. WVE is assiged to an airline called CIMEX ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC. You guessed it; there is nothing on the internet about this shell company. Some on X link the aircraft to Darkwing Aviation, Malta based photographers link it to Beutlin Aviation LLC.
Dash 8 N563AW is currently based a Malta. This all white aircraft is operated by the US Department of State. Less spooky as it can be tracked by Flightradar and the owner is not a shell company. The aircraft arrived at its new base Malta at January 2024. Previously it was based at Amman where it did shuttle flights to Erbil and Baghdad in Iraq. Since it is based at Malta the aircraft flies to Tunis, Benghazi and Tripoli. It is using STATE50 callsign. Track the aircraft here.
Dash 8 N569AW is also based at Malta. Same story as N563AW. Flights can be tracked here. This aircraft was also based at Amman. It arrived at Malta August 26, 2024. Maybe for maintenance as it filed at flightplan for a flight back to Amman at October 13. This aircraft never flew to Tunis, Benghazi or Tripoli.
Dash 8 N649CC operated by shell company Opticap is at the moment of writing this article heading to Europe. It made a stop at St. Johns and the next destination is Lajes at the Azores. Track the aircraft here. It could well be this aircraft is also going to Malta.
