The government of Somalia says the country’s flag carrier will relaunch operations this September after a thirty-year hiatus.
Somali Airlines suspended services in 1991 following the country’s collapse into civil war. Since 2023, the government has made multiple announcements promising the airline’s revival. Following several false starts, this year it looks like it will finally happen.
Carriers currently serving Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport include Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Several private airlines also operate across Somalia, but with bases outside of the country.
Reports indicate the Somali government has purchased two Airbus A320-200s to begin service. As the country emerges from decades of civil conflict, the new administration is investing significantly in aviation to develop new infrastructure and foster economic growth.
In June 2025, they also laid the foundation stone for a second airport to relieve pressure on Aden Adde International, which only has one terminal to process all domestic and international traffic. The new airport is expected to open towards the end of the decade and could cost as much as US$1 billion.
Somalia’s strategic location in the Horn of Africa means it is well-positioned to become an aviation hub should plans proceed as expected. Neighbouring Ethiopia are also investing heavily in their industry: a US$12.5 billion, 100-million passenger airport began construction in January this year.
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