Somalia is preparing to relaunch Somali Airlines in September 2026, marking the potential return of the national carrier after a 35-year suspension that began in 1991 following the collapse of President Siad Barre’s government and the ensuing civil war. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) says the airline is in the final stages of preparation, although details of its initial routes, aircraft deployment and ownership structure have yet to be disclosed. The government previously indicated that the revived carrier would operate a five-aircraft fleet, with Airbus A320s reportedly acquired for the programme. The relaunch forms part of a broader recovery of Somalia’s aviation sector, which has seen approximately US$25 million invested in communications, surveillance and air-navigation infrastructure since the country regained full control of its airspace in 2018. Air-navigation services are now generating around US$20 million annually, with further upgrades expected to raise this to approximately US$52 million per year. Somalia has also upgraded its airspace to ICAO Class A, strengthened aviation personnel and systems, and is preparing for an ICAO safety audit potentially in…
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