Thursday November 11, 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) - For the first time in over 30 years, the Somali government has begun awarding licenses to operate in its airspace - commonly known as an Air Operator's Certificate, marking another significant milestone in Somalia's aviation industry.
Prime Minister Mohamed Roble presented the certificates to the pilots and to Freedom Air, a local airline that has been operating in the country for several years.
Prime Minister Roble praised the Somali Civil Aviation Authority for its efforts to improve civil aviation.
He called on airlines to adopt licenses to enable them to meet domestic and international aviation standards.
Somalia's Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Duran Farah, said that the move would legitimize Somalia's aviation industry globally.
"Somalia aircraft will now be recognized with a unique registration number and can now be recognized all over the world."
Somalia's plate registration number is 6-Oscar-6-Zero.
The bulk of aircraft operating in Somalia was previously using registration numbers from different countries - namely Kenya.
In August, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority began constructing an airport maintenance center in Mogadishu to allow the service and maintenance of the country's aircraft. Aviation experts said that it would bring more air traffic to Somalia.