The Somali Airlines Company is being relaunched

The Federal Government has officially revived the airline company in July 2025, signing a deal to acquire two Airbus A320 aircraft for the national company.

The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Farah, stated that the aircraft belong to the Somali people, with plans for flights to commence in the regions of the country before expanding internationally.

The government stated that the revival of Somali Airlines aims to improve connectivity for Somalis living abroad and to create job opportunities for young aviation professionals.

The first two A320 aircraft are expected to serve as the foundation for the new airline, with plans to add two or three more aircraft in 2026, ultimately introducing larger aircraft for long-haul international services.

Somalia is also investing in airport infrastructure. The Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu is being upgraded, while the government plans to refurbish 15 of the 72 airports in the country to meet international standards.

Somali pilots and aviation professionals trained abroad are also being recruited to assist in rebuilding the technical capacity of the airline, with expectations that the diaspora will play a significant role. The return of the national airline is not just a flight project. It signifies a symbol of national recovery, new connectivity, and the country's efforts to rebuild after decades of conflict.

After more than 35 years without a state-owned airline, the planned revival of Somali Airlines is being presented as a new unit of economic and national development for Somalia. Ahmed Moallin Hassan, the Director General of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), stated that Somali Airlines has reached the final stage of readiness and is expected to commence its first flight in September.

“The Somali airline is in the final stage,” Hassan said during a government meeting. “The first flight, I believe, will start in September. This year, Insha’Allah, we will begin.” Director Hassan made this statement during a government meeting assessing the readiness for Somalia's performance report for 2022–2026.

Somali Airlines, previously known as “The White Star,” ceased operations in 1991 following the collapse of the government of President Siad Barre, which plunged Somalia into years of conflict.

Last year, Somalia announced that the revived airline would have five aircraft, while Minister of Transport Mohamed Farah announced in July 2025 that the country had acquired the Airbus A320 aircraft for that airline.

Now, the government is preparing to restore the national airline as part of a broader effort to build the aviation sector in the country.

In 2018, the country regained full control of its airspace after air traffic management had been conducted from outside Somalia for several decades.

Since then, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority has reported significant investments in air infrastructure.

According to Hassan, air travel services currently generate nearly $20 million annually, with further modernization expected to increase annual revenue to nearly $52 million.

Hassan stated that SalamAir from Oman has completed preparations to start flights in September, while RwandAir from Rwanda is expected to begin services in November. Flynas from Saudi Arabia is also preparing to operate flights to Somalia.

The newspaper reported that before 1991, Somali Airlines used to fly to Germany twice a week, departing every Monday and Friday at 17:20 from Frankfurt, transiting through Rome to pick up other passengers, before landing in Mogadishu.

The image below even shows a Somali Airlines aircraft, specifically a Boeing 707, in Frankfurt in 1987.

We are closely monitoring to see if Somali Airlines will indeed resume operations in mid-September, and we hope, Insha’Allah, for great success for those involved in this matter.