On April 9, a few flights to Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport were canceled after the US Embassy issued a security threat alert. However, some airlines have resumed flights to the Somali capital.
US Department of State level-four travel advisory.
On Monday, the US Embassy in Nairobi received information about threats to several areas in Mogadishu, including the country’s largest and busiest airport – Aden Adde International (MGQ). As such, all movements of US Embassy personnel were canceled for Tuesday, April 9.
According to the US Embassy in Somalia, the US Department of State level-four travel advisory “do not travel” for Somalia had remained in effect because of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping, and piracy concerns. The embassy warned of terrorists continuing to plot kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks, targeting airports and various areas that attract large crowds and Westerners.
In response to the alert, some major airlines canceled services to Mogadishu while other flights were diverted to nearby airports. According to Flightradar24, Turkish Airlines canceled Flight TK646 from Istanbul (IST), scheduled to arrive at 09:05 local time. Qatar Airways Flight QR1459 from Doha (DOH) was also canceled. It was expected to land at Aden Adde Airport at 15:35.
Flydubai Flight FZ609 from Dubai International Airport (DXB) was scheduled to arrive at 11:55, but the service was also canceled. Meanwhile, a Daallo Airlines Boeing 737 operating Flight D3169 from Jeddah to Mogadishu was diverted to Djibouti (JIB).
Resumption of flights to Mogadishu
The US Embassy advised travelers to exercise caution while in Somalia, review personal security plans, notify trusted individuals of travel and movement plans, stay alert in locations frequented by tourists or Westerners, and stay updated by following local media and news outlets. However, there have been no reports of any incidents at the airport.
Turkish Airlines has up to six weekly flights from Istanbul to Mogadishu this month. Flightradar24 shows that the airline has resumed services to the Somali capital. Its April 10 flight operated normally, arriving in Mogadishu at 08:24. Daallo Airlines also resumed its service to the airport, with Flight D3169 landing at 08:32.
There are about 12 airlines with scheduled passenger flights to Mogadishu, connecting the airport with various destinations in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Flydubai and Qatar Airways operate two and four weekly flights to Mogadishu, respectively. Other airlines include Freedom Airline Express, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Uganda Airlines.
Somalia’s air transport sector
Over the last three months, Somalia’s air transport sector has come under the spotlight for various reasons. In separate developments, airlines flying over the Horn of Africa have reported multiple incidents of receiving conflicting instructions from air traffic controllers amid the airspace dispute between Somalia and the unrecognized territory of Somaliland.
In the latest incident, the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority (SCAAA) reported a near miss involving an Emirates Boeing 777 and an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX. However, Emirates and other industry experts disputed the claims. The report came about a month after an Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350 and a Qatar Airways 787 nearly collided over Somaliland. In this case, TCAS stepped in to avert disaster.
While there have been several incidents and safety concerns, the Somali government is also taking strides to improve the country’s aviation sector. In January 2024, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation opened the country’s first MRO facility in over three decades. The center, known as the Blue Hangar, is expected to contribute towards improving safety in Somalia. Furthermore, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) recently inaugurated its new headquarters at Aden Adde International Airport.
Source: Simple Flying.
