Flydubai meets Somali ultimatum as Ethiopian Airlines faces suspension for partial compliance


Friday August 23, 2024

 
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) — Flydubai has fully complied with the Somali Civil Aviation Authority’s (SCAA) ultimatum regarding the representation of Somali destinations on its booking platforms, ensuring the continuation of its operations within Somalia. In contrast, it is unclear if Ethiopian Airlines continues to face the threat of suspension after only partially adhering to the SCAA’s demands.

Flydubai, a UAE state-owned carrier, promptly responded to the SCAA’s directive by removing the term “Somaliland” from its booking page and listing “Hargeisa, Somalia” as the destination. This compliance will likely allow Flydubai to maintain its flight operations without interruption.

On the other hand, Ethiopian Airlines has taken a more cautious approach. While the airline removed references to “Somaliland” from its platforms, it stopped short of fully complying with the SCAA’s demands. Ethiopian Airlines opted to leave the country designation for Hargeisa blank, listing only the airport code (HGA) without specifying it as part of Somalia. 

In a letter dated August 22, Ethiopian Airlines requested an extension from the SCAA to address the issues raised, citing the need for more time to review and implement the necessary changes. “The deadline of August 23, 2024, is too short to respond to your request,” wrote Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. “Hence, in the interest of maintaining the long-term relationship developed over the years, this is to kindly request you to give us some more time to review the issues and come back to you with a response.”

However, the SCAA, led by Director General Ahmed Moallin Hassan, denied the extension, stating that the corrections should take at most two days. The SCAA warned that if the original deadline is not met, Ethiopian Airlines’ operations in Somalia would be suspended until the matter is resolved.

The dispute stems from the wider 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. The deal has exacerbated tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, with the SCAA scrutinizing Ethiopian Airlines’ operations as part of its broader effort to assert Somalia’s sovereignty.

As Saturday’s deadline approaches, the situation remains tense. If Ethiopian Airlines fails to meet the SCAA’s demands, there is a real risk of disruptions in regional aviation. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how similar issues are handled in the future, with implications for other international carriers operating in the region.
 

 

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