MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – There is still a suspension of flights in Somalia after the airlines operating in Somalia completely suspended all domestic and international flights from yesterday, January 22, 2025, which caused hundreds of passengers traveling to Mogadishu. are stuck.
The suspension came after a dispute between the federal government and the airlines, regarding an increase in taxes imposed on air travel.
A press release issued by the Somali Airlines Association, which represents around 20 airlines, announced the suspension of flights, with the main reasons for this tough decision being said to be unresolved disputes between the Ministry of Transport and Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA).
“Starting Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Somali Airlines has completely suspended all domestic and international flights until a lasting solution is reached,” the press release said.
This decision affected both domestic and international travel, disrupting services for thousands of passengers. In response to this announcement, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority issued its own press release, denying claims that the disruption of flights is due to the increase in taxes.
It warned against the spread of what it called “fake news” and provided details on why the planes were grounded, saying several planes were grounded after inspections revealed maintenance deficiencies.
“The Civil Aviation Authority has conducted investigations on domestic flights and found issues that could endanger the safety of passengers. These planes cannot fly until the maintenance is done in accordance with the law,” said the aviation authority.
Concerns about operations
The aviation authority also expressed concern about the operational practices of the Somali aviation sector. It pointed to issues such as poor passenger service management and reliance on other airlines to fill flight routes due to maintenance delays or non-existent operational aircraft.
“Some airlines are operating in the capital without planes, and they are taking passengers to flights owned by other companies, which has disrupted the service to some regions,” said the agency.
The management of Aden Adde International Airport has instructed Favori, the private company that manages the airport, to deny access to the counter for airlines that do not have operational aircraft at the airport.
The suspension of flights has already caused major disruption to passengers.
At the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, about 200 passengers who were going to fly to Mogadishu were stranded early Wednesday morning.
The Somali government is said to have canceled three flights intended to carry these passengers.
The Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu has canceled several domestic flights that were scheduled to depart. The cancellation forced many passengers, who were waiting to travel to different regions of Somalia, to make other plans or postpone their journey.
It is not clear if flights will resume today or not.