Somali airline to resume flights in October, first to neighbor

The Federal Government of Somalia announced this week that it will resume domestic and international flight operations for Somali Airlines next month, ending a 35‑year suspension that began with the outbreak of civil war in 1991. The government said the initial routes will connect the capital, Mogadishu, with neighboring countries Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, with plans to gradually expand to major cities in Europe and the Middle East. The first flights are slated to depart in early October.

After the collapse of the Somali Democratic Republic in 1991, the civil war devastated the nation’s infrastructure and forced the aviation sector to cease operations due to combined safety and economic challenges. At that time Somali Airlines was the state flag carrier, operating a fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, but the conflict, international sanctions and the freezing of assets brought the airline to a halt. Since then, Somalis have had to rely on transit through neighboring states or private charter services, a lack of air connectivity that severely limited business travel, medical evacuations and humanitarian assistance.

Since formally replacing the Transitional Federal Government in 2012, the Somali Federal Government has pursued the reconstruction of central governance and its international image. It has established a civil aviation authority, concluded multiple bilateral air service agreements and received assistance from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to raise safety standards. In recent years the government has completed the resurfacing of Mogadishu’s main runway, upgraded navigation equipment and attracted foreign investment for fleet renewal and maintenance to meet international safety certification requirements. The restoration of airline services is being hailed as a symbol of the government’s “return to the international stage” and a key step toward economic diversification, tourism promotion and trade expansion.

The Somali diaspora and business community have broadly welcomed the move, noting that the resumption of flights will ease the return of overseas workers visiting family and provide faster logistics channels for importing agricultural products and exporting seafood. Regional carriers Emirates and Turkish Airlines have also expressed willingness to offer technical assistance and training to help Somali Airlines regain its operating licence. While security risks remain, the government has pledged to strengthen airport security screening, enhance airspace monitoring and share intelligence with neighboring countries to mitigate threats from terrorism and smuggling.

For Taiwan, the revival of Somali Airlines illustrates the possibilities of post‑conflict reconstruction and underscores the need for continued diversification of aviation and supply‑chain security. Should Somalia and Taiwan develop trade in agricultural goods, fisheries or tourism, the reinstated route would directly shorten logistics times and expand commercial opportunities for both sides. Moreover, Somalia’s experience rebuilding its aviation system could provide Taiwan with practical insights for supporting other developing nations in improving aviation safety and infrastructure.