Somalia’s federal government plans to relaunch Somali Airlines (2025) before the end of 2025, the country's transport and civil aviation minister, Mohamed Farah Nuh, announced during International Civil Aviation Day celebrations in Mogadishu on December 7.
"We have established the board of management for Somali Airlines and put in place the regulatory framework needed to guide its operations. We have also reached agreements with international partners, and we have purchased modern aircraft. We are confident that, very soon, our national airline will return to the skies, flying the Somali flag proudly across Somalia and around the world," he was cited as saying by news site TRT Afrika.
In July 2025, the Somali government said it had purchased two A320-200s for the planned relaunch of Somali Airlines, with a further two to three aircraft expected in 2026 as part of a phased fleet build-up. Officials said the aircraft were acquired from Lima Holding Group, though ch-aviation has been unable to verify the identity of the lessor or the specific airframes involved.
Nuh also revealed that four additional international airlines will begin serving Somalia but did not disclose their names. According to ch-aviation capacity data, Mogadishu is already served by 13 international carriers, namely Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Uganda Airlines, and EgyptAir, Kenyan carriers Premier Airlines, African Express Airways, Fanjet Express, i-Fly Air, Jubba Airways (Kenya), and Freedom Airline Express, plus Air Djibouti and Daallo Airlines (Djibouti).
Progress made
Somali Airlines, founded in 1964, suspended operations in 1991 during the country's civil war. Its planned return comes as Somalia continues a broader overhaul of its aviation sector. The country has regained Class A airspace, restored full air traffic control services, and upgraded Mogadishu to ICAO’s highest safety and security standards. New digital border and security systems - including e-visas – went live in 2025.
According to a statement posted on the transport ministry's social media, Nuh also highlighted progress made over the past year, noting advances in airport infrastructure, regulatory reform, technology, and financial governance.
He said the aircraft apron at Mogadishu International Airport had been expanded to handle more simultaneous operations and improve safety and efficiency. Runways and terminal facilities were also refurbished to meet international standards.
The ministry has finalised a national transport policy, creating a unified framework to guide the development and regulation of land, air, and sea transport. He said the policy will help ensure transparency and alignment with global norms.
In airspace and border management, the ministry said it had enhanced air traffic management, expanded staff training, and introduced a mandatory electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system for all inbound passengers. Airlines are now required to verify passengers’ ETA clearance before boarding.
This follows the recent rejoining of IATA Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) by Somalia after 33 years. Nuh said IATA was preparing to restore Somalia’s BSP country code, a critical step towards fully reintegrating Somalia into the global aviation community.
