Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Mogadishu, Somalia — The Somali federal government has officially announced plans for the construction of a new international airport in Mogadishu, aimed at reducing congestion at the existing Aden Adde International Airport. The new facility will be located in El Ma’an, following a five-year environmental and safety assessment that confirmed the site’s suitability for development.
Ahmed Moalim Hassan, General Manager of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), confirmed the project during a public address, stating that the new airport is designed to meet the increasing air traffic demand in Mogadishu. Hassan emphasized that the planned facility will be capable of handling all types of aircraft, positioning the capital for greater regional connectivity and economic growth.
Mogadishu’s population has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by improved security conditions and economic stability. This surge, combined with limited road infrastructure and rising demand for air travel, has placed considerable strain on the Aden Adde International Airport. The new airport is expected to ease this pressure while supporting Somalia’s broader development strategies.
Although the project’s full technical specifications have yet to be disclosed, early details suggest the airport will include two parallel runways, each measuring 4,000 meters in length, capable of accommodating large commercial aircraft. Plans also outline the construction of separate international and domestic passenger terminals with scalable capacity, a modern cargo terminal equipped with advanced logistics and storage facilities, and critical support infrastructure such as maintenance hangars, fuel farms, and a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower.
The estimated cost for the new airport is projected to exceed $1 billion, which will cover construction, advanced equipment, and operational infrastructure. Aviation experts stress the importance of ensuring the new facility meets global standards to attract major international carriers and position Somalia as a key hub in East Africa’s aviation sector.
Aden Adde International Airport, Mogadishu’s primary aviation hub since its establishment in 1928 during the Italian colonial period, has undergone extensive modernization in recent years. Major rehabilitation efforts began in 2010 following decades of conflict, transforming the airport into a modern facility with upgraded infrastructure and enhanced security.
The current airport features a 3,150-meter-long, 45-meter-wide asphalt-paved runway capable of handling large commercial and military aircraft. It also includes an international terminal with modern amenities, a smaller domestic terminal, a dedicated cargo terminal, and an upgraded air traffic control tower for efficient management. The airport hosts major international airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, and Air Arabia, along with domestic carriers like Jubba Airways, Daallo Airlines, and Somali Airlines.
Despite these improvements, rising air traffic has resulted in increasing congestion at Aden Adde International Airport. The facility currently handles over 40 daily flights, serving approximately 1.5 million passengers annually and processing around 30,000 tons of cargo. The growing population, coupled with enhanced security and a recovering economy, has made the expansion of aviation infrastructure a national priority.
The new airport project in El Ma’an is seen as a transformative step in Somalia’s development. It is expected to create thousands of jobs during both the construction phase and its operational period. Additionally, it will support increased capacity for passenger and cargo traffic, reduce delays, and improve overall service quality. The expanded infrastructure aims to attract more international airlines and facilitate greater economic activity through enhanced trade and tourism.
The Somali federal government has yet to announce an official groundbreaking date for the construction of the new airport, but officials have expressed commitment to ensuring the project adheres to global standards of safety and environmental sustainability. The development marks a significant milestone in modernizing Somalia’s aviation sector and positioning Mogadishu as a key gateway for East Africa.