Somalia’s national carrier, Somali Airlines, is expected to resume commercial flights in September 2026, more than three decades after suspending operations following the collapse of the country’s central government in 1991.
Ahmed Moalin, Director General of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, said preparations to relaunch the national airline had been completed, with flights expected to begin next month.
The planned return would restore a national flag carrier that has been absent from Somalia’s aviation sector for more than 35 years. Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu currently serves several international airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.
The Somali government has announced plans to revive the airline several times in recent years, although previously announced launch dates were repeatedly delayed.
In July 2025, the government announced the acquisition of two Airbus A320 aircraft as part of its plan to restore Somali Airlines. The agreement was signed at the office of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and announced by then-Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Farah Nuuh, who said the aircraft would operate under the Somali Airlines name within two months.
In October 2025, the Ministry of Transport said the airline would resume operations before the end of that year, with officials describing preparations as being in their final stages. The latest announcement points to September 2026 as the new target for the relaunch.
Somali Airlines was established in 1964 and became Somalia’s national flag carrier, operating both domestic and international routes. Its operations were disrupted by the civil war and ultimately halted in 1991.
The planned revival comes as Somalia seeks to strengthen its transport infrastructure and improve connectivity between the country, regional markets and international destinations. A functioning national carrier could also provide additional domestic and regional air links while supporting the broader development of Somalia’s aviation sector.
Mustaqbal
