The European Union (EU) is planning to suspend its dedicated flights between Mogadishu and Nairobi, which have primarily been used by diplomats, international officials, and senior aid workers. According to multiple sources, the final flight is expected to operate on August 13.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the planned suspension follows a combination of operational challenges, including a sharp decline in passenger demand after international organizations reduced the number of expatriate staff working in Somalia.
Sources said recent budget constraints affecting United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) have led to significant staff reductions. As a result, demand for dedicated air services between Somalia and Kenya has reportedly fallen considerably.
The EU-operated flights had become one of the last remaining dedicated air links between Mogadishu and Nairobi after similar services previously operated by UN agencies were discontinued.
According to sources, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has also suspended its dedicated flights connecting the two countries, further reducing transport options for humanitarian personnel and international staff.
The suspension is expected to affect diplomats, humanitarian workers, and senior international officials who have relied on secure, scheduled flights between Somalia and Kenya for official travel.
Sources said the decision reflects the changing operational needs of international organizations, with fewer international personnel now stationed in Somalia following funding cuts and broader financial pressures facing aid agencies.
Security concerns in Somalia are also believed to have contributed to the review of international travel arrangements, as organizations continue reassessing transport options for their personnel operating in the country.
Neither the European Union nor the United Nations has publicly issued a detailed statement confirming the full reasons behind the planned suspension or outlining its long-term impact on operations in Somalia.
Despite the changes, international organizations continue to implement humanitarian, development, and security-related programs across Somalia, although many are operating under increased financial and logistical constraints.
The suspension of the dedicated Mogadishu–Nairobi flights marks a significant shift in travel arrangements for the international community, ending one of the principal air links that diplomats and aid workers have relied upon for years.