Somali Airlines Set to Take Off Again by the End of 2025

 Somali Airlines Set to Take Off Again by the End of 2025

Somalia’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Farah Nuuh, has announced that Somali Airlines will officially resume operations before the end of this year — marking a major milestone in the nation’s aviation history.

Speaking on Sunday, Minister Nuuh confirmed that the aircraft and all related equipment are ready, emphasizing the government’s determination to revive the national carrier after more than three decades.

“I am pleased to inform the Somali people that we will re-launch Somali Airlines before the end of this year,” the Minister said.

He also highlighted plans to modernize Aden Adde International Airport and other airports across the country, noting that 72 airports require repair and modernization. Fifteen of these are currently under renovation, with several nearing completion.

“We must show the world that our airports are reliable — at least comparable to those of neighboring countries. Somali citizens and politicians must respect the rule of law and avoid disrupting airport operations,” he added.

In July 2025, the Somali government announced the purchase of two Airbus A320 aircraft, a significant step toward reviving the flag carrier, which ceased operations in 1991 following the collapse of central authority.

Founded in 1964, Somali Airlines once connected Mogadishu to major cities across East Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The civil war forced the airline to suspend operations, leading to decades without a national carrier.

Since then, a mix of international airlines — including Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and flydubai — have maintained regular flights to Mogadishu. Regional carriers like Daallo Airlines, Jubba Airways, and African Express Airways have provided crucial domestic and cross-border services.

Now, with Somali Airlines preparing to return to the skies, many see this as a symbol of national pride, recovery, and progress — a long-awaited moment that rekindles the dream of seeing Somalia’s flag fly once again above the clouds.