Flagship African airline to resume operations after 30-year hiatus

Somali Airlines will take flight again before the end of the year, the transport minister has confirmed

Somalia’s government has announced that national carrier Somali Airlines will resume operations before the end of 2025, more than 30 years after the airline was grounded during the country’s civil war.

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Farah made the announcement during a press conference in Mogadishu on Sunday.

“I am pleased to announce to the Somali people that we will relaunch Somali Airlines before the end of this year, God willing,” Farah said, as quoted by local news agency Somalia Today.

Farah outlined the government’s broader aviation strategy, which includes major upgrades to Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, as well as other domestic airports across Somalia. He stated that 72 airports are in urgent need of renovation across the country, and noted that 15 are currently undergoing maintenance.

“We need to show the world that our airports are safe and reliable,” the minister said. “If we can’t yet reach the standards of developed countries, we should at least match those of our neighbors.” 

Read more

In July, the Somali government announced the purchase of two Airbus A320 aircraft. “This isn’t just about two new Airbus A320s acquired today; it’s a powerful symbol of our nation’s incredible journey of resilience, rebuilding, and renewed national pride,” Farah noted.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud laid the foundation stone in June for the new Mogadishu Airport in the Haawaay. Earlier in the year, Somalia joined the East African Community’s Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA).

The national airline ceased operations in 1991 following the collapse of the government and the onset of civil war. Founded in 1964, Somali Airlines once linked Mogadishu to key destinations across East Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Its grounding left a void in the national aviation sector that has since been filled by international carriers such as Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Flydubai. Regional and domestic operations have been maintained by Somali-based airlines, including Daallo Airlines and Jubba Airways.

READ MORE: EgyptAir cuts key Middle East routes

While Somalia is moving towards the 2026 elections, the situation remains complex. Al-Shabaab, an Islamist insurgent group, has regained territory and launched offensive operations. The government is also dealing with ongoing insecurity in member states Puntland, Jubaland, and self-proclaimed Somaliland.