Somalia’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Farah Nuux, has mandated urgent safety inspections and recertification for all aircraft operating within, into, or out of the country.
The directive, which affects both domestic and international flights, is aimed at strengthening aviation safety standards across Somalia. While the minister did not outline a specific timeline for completion, he emphasized that the inspections are a top priority.
“We must ensure that every aircraft flying in and out of Somalia is properly inspected, registered, and maintained,” Nuux stated during a meeting with aviation stakeholders held at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport. His remarks were reported by the Somali National News Agency (SONNA).
This move follows a recent mortar attack near the Mogadishu airport on April 6, 2025, reportedly launched by the militant group Al-Shabaab. In response to the incident, Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir temporarily suspended their flights to the Somali capital. Turkish Airlines resumed its daily services from Istanbul on April 9, while EgyptAir, which operates biweekly flights via Djibouti, has yet to restore service.
Despite the attack, other international carriers have continued their operations in and out of Mogadishu without interruption. The safety inspections are expected to bolster confidence in Somalia’s aviation sector and prevent future disruptions.
