Somali Airlines to resume operations after 27 years of absence, Aviation Minister announces

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

Somalia’s state-owned national carrier, Somali Airlines is supposed to resume operations after twenty-seven years of out of service, Somalia’s Civil Aviation and Air Transportation Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omar said.

“It is the national priority for the Civil Aviation and Air Transportation Ministry.” he said.

The Minister was speaking of the plans to transfer air traffic control system, currently operated in Nairobi, Kenya to Somali capital, Mogadishu.

“The process to transfer the air space control is progressing well, as we expect soon later this year the work will be finished.” the minister said as he observed the installation of the new air space control system at Mogadishu International Airport.

He said re-launching Somali Airline remains as the most vital work yet to-be done by his ministry.

“We have started our plans to re-launch the national carrier. This is a national asset and we want to bring back a Somali Airline which can compete with other carriers in the region.” Minister Omar reiterated.

Established in March 1964, Somali Airline known to its fame name “the White Star Service” offered flights to both domestic and international destinations. But the airline became out of service soon after civil war erupted in Mogadishu in 1991 which led to the collapse all infrastructure and airports including the Aden Adde International Airport closed due to heavy shelling by warring militias.