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Somalia is making a major move to revive its national airline, Somali Airlines, after more than 30 years of being grounded. The government has announced the purchase of two Airbus A320 aircraft, which are expected to begin flying within two months.
This development was confirmed by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Farah Nuuh after the deal was signed at the office of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre.
“This marks the beginning of our national aviation revival,” Nuuh said. “These aircraft are the foundation of Somali Airlines’ return, and we are committed to creating a national airline that meets international safety and service standards.”
Somali Airlines was founded in 1964 and once connected Mogadishu to cities across East Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. However, operations stopped in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia’s central government due to civil war. Since then, Somalia has depended on foreign and regional carriers like Turkish Airlines, flydubai, Ethiopian Airlines, Daallo Airlines, and Jubba Airways for air travel. The country has had no official national airline for over three decades.
The return of Somali Airlines is seen as both a practical move to improve travel within and outside Somalia and an emotional one—restoring a piece of national pride and identity lost during the years of conflict.
To support the airline’s revival, the government also plans to purchase two or three more aircraft by 2026. Somali pilots and aviation staff trained abroad will be recruited to run the airline. The Somali diaspora is also expected to play a big role in helping to rebuild the airline’s operations and technical capacity.
This announcement follows years of preparation. In 2018, Somalia began to take back control of its airspace after it had been managed from outside the country for years due to instability. In 2023, Somalia regained full authority over its airspace under a Category 1 safety rating, allowing it to resume national airline operations that comply with international aviation standards.
Alongside the airline’s return, Somalia is also working on a massive infrastructure project—a new international airport in Warsheekh, located northeast of Mogadishu. The $643 million airport, unveiled in December 2024, is expected to handle millions of passengers annually. It will also include cargo areas, customs services, and aircraft maintenance facilities. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described the project as vital for Somalia’s economic growth and better connection with the region.
Both the airline revival and the airport construction are part of Somalia’s broader Ninth National Development Plan. This plan focuses on rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and improving transport links to support economic recovery and regional integration.
Officials hope the new Somali Airlines will offer a more affordable alternative to the foreign carriers currently operating in Somalia and help boost travel, business, and trade within the region.
“This is about restoring an institution that connects Somalia to the world,” Minister Nuuh said.
With the return of Somali Airlines, the country is taking a big step forward in rebuilding a key national symbol and improving air connectivity for its people.