Somalia's aviation soars with first aircraft repair hangar in decades

Somalia's skies witnessed a major boost on Wednesday with the inauguration of the country's first aircraft repair hangar in over 30 years. This landmark development at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu marks a significant milestone for the nation's aviation sector, signifying a positive trajectory and renewed potential.

Aerosom, a private company, proudly spearheaded the initiative, unveiling the new facility at a colorful ceremony graced by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Fardowsa Osman Egal. Government officials, civil aviation figures, and key stakeholders, including the Somalia Chamber of Commerce, gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Minister Egal hailed the project as a game-changer for Somali aviation, stating, "We've long desired this essential service, and its arrival heralds a new era. We welcome Aerosom's initiative and hope it fuels the aviation sector's growth, benefiting both Somali citizens and those within the industry."

Prior to this groundbreaking development, Somali aircraft were forced to seek repairs abroad, often in neighboring Kenya. This dependence is about to shift, with Kenyan airports likely to see a decline in Somali clientele.

Ismail Abdullahi Siyad, Aerosom's chairman, shared the story behind the hangar's inception, motivated by the glaring need for such services within Somalia. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry for its support and emphasized the facility's potential impact, saying, "This new hangar fills a long-standing gap at Aden Adde International Airport. In the absence of a domestic repair facility, even during President Siyad Barre's era, planes relied on foreign services for over three decades. We believe this hangar will not only benefit Somalia but also its neighbors, as well as transit passengers and airlines traversing our airspace."

Renowned Somali scholar and cleric, Sheikh Suldan Abdiqani Qorane, added a personal touch to the ceremony, recounting a harrowing experience that underscored the significance of this new hangar. Qorane narrated how a bird strike during a Nairobi-Mogadishu-Garowe flight forced an emergency landing. "Had this hangar been available," he declared, "our flight would have been repaired, allowing us to safely continue our journey. This facility is a crucial step forward for our nation, especially the aviation sector."

Somalia's civil aviation sector is experiencing an undeniable surge. Adeen Adde International Airport bustles with activity, hosting scheduled flights by major airlines like Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Dubai, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Uganda, and Air Djibouti, alongside a dozen other regional and local carriers. Kenyan Airways even anticipates resuming direct flights to Mogadishu soon.

Dr. Ahmed Maalim Hassan, Director General of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), echoed the sentiment of progress, stating, "The opening of this hangar is a testament to the strides our aviation sector is making. We currently operate six newly registered Somali flights, and all airlines require maintenance at some point, making this facility invaluable."

This milestone further solidifies Somalia's control over its airspace, regained in June 2018 after years of management by the International Civil Aviation Organization from Nairobi. The reclassification of Somali airspace from Class G to Class A in January 2023 fueled a surge in revenue and traffic, with over 500 international flights now utilizing Somali airspace.