Wednesday August 21, 2024
Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority has issued stern warnings to FlyDubai and Ethiopian Airlines, threatening to suspend their operations within the country over sovereignty disputes and misrepresentation of Somali destinations.
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has issued an ultimatum to FlyDubai and Ethiopian Airlines, threatening to suspend their operations within Somalia if the airlines do not correct serious violations related to the misrepresentation of Somali destinations on their platforms. The warnings come amid escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over the disputed territory of Somaliland.
In letters dated August 21, 2024, the SCAA accused Ethiopian Airlines of omitting references to Somali destinations on its website, booking platform, and mobile application, instead using only airport codes. The SCAA warned that such actions undermine Somalia's sovereignty and demanded immediate corrective measures.
"The Somali Civil Aviation Authority will have no choice but to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Somalia if these sovereignty concerns are not addressed," the SCAA stated. "Any future recurrence, such as not properly identifying the destinations in Somalia, will result in suspension without further warning."
FlyDubai, which has been similarly accused of misrepresenting Somali destinations, was also given a deadline to rectify the situation. The SCAA's letter to FlyDubai highlighted "serious violations" and insisted on the "accurate representation of destinations" within Somalia.
"FlyDubai must properly reference all Somali destinations by name and include them as part of the Somali state on their official website and booking platforms," the SCAA demanded, setting a deadline of August 24, 2024. Failure to comply, the SCAA warned, would result in the "immediate revocation of FlyDubai's operating permit within Somalia."
The latest development comes against the backdrop of a broader diplomatic dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia. Earlier this year, Ethiopia signed a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region that Somalia considers part of its territory. The agreement, which includes a 50-year lease of a 20-kilometer stretch of Somaliland's coast to Ethiopia, has further strained relations between the two nations.
In January 2024, Somalia temporarily suspended all inbound Ethiopian Airlines flights after the SCAA denied airspace permission to an unscheduled Ethiopian Airlines flight carrying a high-level Ethiopian delegation to Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital. The SCAA cited the flight's lack of authorization and reaffirmed Somalia's commitment to controlling its airspace. An enraged Somaliland demanded to control it's own airspace.
"The actions of Ethiopian Airlines in this context exacerbate the original concerns and directly undermine the sovereignty of Somalia," the SCAA stated in its latest letter.
Ethiopian Airlines, which operates flights to Hargeisa, Mogadishu, and several other Somali cities, has been a key player in the region's aviation industry. However, its growing ties with Somaliland, including a potential stake in Ethiopian Airlines for the region, have made it a focal point of Somalia's sovereignty concerns.
FlyDubai, which suspended its Mogadishu route in June due to security concerns, has also come under fire for failing to represent Somali destinations accurately.
As the deadlines of August 23 and 24 approach, both airlines face the prospect of having their operations in Somalia suspended. The SCAA's actions have raised concerns about the potential impact on regional aviation, with wider implications for international carriers operating in the region.