Somali Airlines Set To Operate Flights Again: Acquires Two A320s
- Konrad Tillman
- Aug 23
- 4 min read
Intro
Somalia has always had a very special place in my heart. Throughout years of turmoil and a brutal civil war, they remained one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world, with the longest coastline in Africa, and some of the kindest people on the planet. So, when I was sitting on the toilet this morning, doing my daily Instagram scroll, and saw that the national airline might be coming back, I was excited for the country.
Let's jump in, as this represents so much more than an airline; it represents a sense* of stability.
Previous History Of The Airline
Somalia has had a complicated past, to put it frankly. When the country gained independence in 1960, there was a period when people from around the world flocked to the coastline. 5-star resorts were set up in Mogadishu, and it became a beachfront paradise, according to the way locals in Mogadishu talked about it.
Come 1964, the government at the time set up a national airline by the name of Somali Airlines. The airline wasn't massive but featured two Boeing 707‑320Cs, two Fokker F27‑600s, and later an A310. Serving Abu Dhabi, Rome, Jeddah, Frankfurt, Cairo, Nairobi, and Dubai, to name a few, this airline was doing quite well for itself in a continent that proved to be a challenge for airlines... (look at Air Senegal, Rwandair, etc)
Somali Airlines Being Revived
Well, come 1991, when the brutal civil war broke out, Somali Airlines rightfully ceased operations and has yet to operate a flight since.
However, recent reports have mentioned that Somali Airlines is being revived, and after checking out multiple sources online, it seems that this is, in fact, accurate. The state-owned airline has acquired two A320-200s and is aiming to launch their first flight come the third quarter of 2025.
Not only that, the government has made a commitment to open up a brand new airport in Mahay, which is set to replace the Mogadishu Aden Abbe airport (review of flying in here). It's supposed to be much larger, with the ability to accommodate 8 million passengers yearly.
Now, I think it is important to note that while the government has said that flights should begin soon, it might take a little bit longer to get off the ground (pun intended). As with any new airline/product, timelines are subject to change, just look at Lufthansa Allegris 😅.
Why This Is A Big Deal
As we sit in the West thinking about Somalia, our minds often go towards war, pirates, and conflict. Now I am not saying that Somalia is anything like the Maldives, but it has been doing astronomically better in the last few years. I met many people during my time in Mogadishu who actually had returned home to Somalia, as it has become somewhat stable enough to do so.
And if you don't believe me, which is fair enough, I will let the route map of flights in and out of Mogadishu show for itself. Not only do Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Egypt Air, and Ethiopian Airlines operate flights to Mogadishu, but these flights are routinely going out full...
There is a huge market in Somalia at the moment, and a demand that is, frankly, through the roof.
So, yeah, this is a huge deal for not just the airline, but it represents a step forward for the country. Without all of the noise the country has been making inroads to once again find a sense of normalcy and peace. While I don't think the time to visit for Western tourists now, I wouldn't be surprised to see more people flock back to the beautiful beaches soon enough. Mahadsanid 🇸🇴.
Final Thoughts
The state-owned airline, Somali Airlines, is set to operate its first flight soon in over 34 years after the airline ceased operations when the civil war broke out. With two A320-200s being acquired for the time being, it will be interesting to see how this airline does and if they will be able to compete with the international carriers in the region. Personally, I have read reports of Somali captains online who have said that they would return home if they were offered a job working the A320s, and that gives me hope that this airline might work out. I hope it does, and not just for the sake of the airline, but for the country. Monumental, yet few speak about it.
Here is my series from Somalia if you want to check it out:
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