Friday August 23, 2024
Updated Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Ethiopian Airlines has now fully complied with the Somali Civil Aviation Authority's ultimatum by adding "Somalia" to its booking platforms, instead of partially complying as previously reported. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority has yet to comment on this development.
Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority threatened to suspend FlyDubai and Ethiopian Airlines operations within the country over sovereignty disputes and misrepresentation of Somali destinations.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Ethiopian Airlines has now fully complied with the Somali Civil Aviation Authority's (SCAA) ultimatum regarding the representation of Somali destinations on its booking platforms, averting the threat of suspension. This development follows initial reports that the airline had only partially complied with the SCAA's demands.
Flydubai, a UAE state-owned carrier, was the first to adhere to the SCAA's directive, promptly removing the term "Somaliland" from its booking page and accurately listing "Hargeisa, Somalia" as the destination. This action ensured that Flydubai's operations within Somalia continued without disruption.
Initially, Ethiopian Airlines took a more cautious approach. While the airline removed references to "Somaliland," it had opted to list Hargeisa with only the airport code (HGA) and without specifying "Somalia" as part of the destination. This partial compliance raised concerns that the airline might face suspension if it did not meet the SCAA's demands by the deadline.
In a letter dated August 22, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew requested an extension, citing the need for more time to review and implement the necessary changes. However, the SCAA, led by Director General Ahmed Moallin Hassan, denied the extension, stating that the corrections should be completed within two days. The SCAA warned that failure to fully comply would result in the suspension of Ethiopian Airlines' operations within Somalia.
With the deadline looming, Ethiopian Airlines has updated its platforms to fully comply with the SCAA's demands, correctly listing "Hargeisa, Somalia." This compliance comes just in time to avert the potential suspension of the airline's operations within the country.
The SCAA has yet to comment on Ethiopian Airlines' compliance or the resolution of the issue.
The dispute between Somalia and Ethiopian Airlines is part of broader geopolitical tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, particularly over Ethiopia's growing ties with Somaliland. Earlier this year, Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, which included significant strategic and economic concessions. This agreement exacerbated tensions between the two nations, leading to increased scrutiny of Ethiopian Airlines' operations by the SCAA.
Now that Ethiopian Airlines has fully complied with the SCAA's ultimatum, the immediate risk of disruptions in regional aviation will likely be averted. However, the outcome of this dispute may set a precedent for how similar issues are managed in the future, with potential implications for other international carriers operating in the region.