Post date: Dec 06, 2012 1:16:11 PM
With relative calm restored after years of conflict, close to 15 flights a day now lift off or land at Mogadishu airport. But it is still not recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization due to safety and security issues.
MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (DECEMBER 04, 2012) (AU-UN IST) - Flights are slowly resuming services at the Aden Abdulle International Airport inMogadishu, after years of conflict in the country disrupted operations in the past.
Today the airport stands as the major port of entry for thousands of Somalis returning home and those coming to visit.Activity at the airport has increased with close to 15 flights taking off and landing daily.
Relative calm has returned to Mogadishu and parts of the country after al Shabaabmilitants pulled out last year, following a military offensive by African Union and Somali forces.
Even then, the group still holds sway over vast rural areas where the central government and regional administrations have minimal control.
During Somalia's conflict years, the only aircrafts that ventured into its skies were those hired by daring businessmen to bring in khat, under the protection of warlords that controlled different areas of the city. The plant grown in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopiahas a stimulating effect when chewed.
Somalia now has a new President, Prime Minister and government, and the country is trying to rebuild its institutions, after two decades of destruction.
"It is not as it used to be before, a lot of things are missing, but thanks to our government, transitional government and the Somali Federal Government, we are striving to resume all operations which are required to be established. So now we are in the middle, I can't say we are lower but we are in the middle," said Ali Mahmud Ibrahim, the General Manager at Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority.
It's not just foreign airlines that are filling Somalia's newly reopened airspace; Somali businessmen are also seizing the new opportunity.
Said Abdullah Saleh is the general manager of Horn of Africa Aviation. His airline previously operated charter flights between Puntland and Somaliland, but never out of the Somali capital.
The airline has now received all the necessary approvals from the Federal Government of Somalia and will be flying daily to Kismayo, Baidoa and Beletweyne.
"We decided to come to the capital and we want to connect the country from Mogadishuto all the other provisional capitals in Somalia, because we see that there is a great need; we want to serve children, mothers, old people, sick people, people who cannot travel, I emphasize, who cannot travel with the rough roads," said Saleh.
Although the airport is seeing a lot more action than before, it is still not recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization, due to safety and security issues in the country.
"We request the international Civil Aviation to come and see what is going on here, in order to lift the ban, because the airport is closed from their side due to civil conflict. This time, no more civil conflict, the airport is operating, everybody can come and witness what is going on here," said Ibrahim.
Several private airlines based in East Africa, including Kenya based, African Express and Sax as well as Somalia-owned private carries like Jubba Airways and Daallo Airlines, all operate flights into Mogadishu.
In March this year international carrier Turkish Airlines began twice weekly flights between the Turkish capital, Ankara and Mogadishu.