Ethiopian Airlines dodges suspension after meeting Somalia compliance demands

Ethiopian Airlines has fully adhered to the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority's (SCAA) ultimatum, resolving a potential suspension threat by correctly listing Somalia destinations on its booking platforms. This development follows an earlier partial compliance that raised concerns about the airline's operations within Somalia.

The issue began when the SCAA issued a directive requiring international airlines to accurately represent Somalia destinations on their platforms, including the specific reference to "Somalia" in place of "Somaliland."

Flydubai, a UAE-based carrier, swiftly complied by removing "Somaliland" and listing "Hargeisa, Somalia" as its destination, thus avoiding any operational disruptions in the region.

Initially, Ethiopian Airlines took a more cautious approach. While it removed references to "Somaliland," it continued to list Hargeisa with only the airport code (HGA) and omitted "Somalia" from the destination name. This partial compliance led to the SCAA threatening suspension unless the airline fully met the demands by the given deadline.

On August 22, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew requested an extension, citing the need for additional time to implement the necessary changes.

However, SCAA Director General Ahmed Moallin Hassan denied the extension, insisting that Ethiopian Airlines rectify the issue within two days to avoid suspension.

In response to the imminent deadline, Ethiopian Airlines has updated its booking platforms to fully comply with the SCAA's directive. The airline now correctly lists "Hargeisa, Somalia," ensuring that its operations in Somalia continue without interruption. The SCAA has not yet commented on the resolution or Ethiopian Airlines' compliance.

This dispute is part of a broader context of geopolitical tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, particularly regarding Ethiopia's growing engagement with Somaliland. Earlier this year, Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland that included significant strategic and economic agreements. This MoU intensified scrutiny of Ethiopian Airlines by Somali authorities, reflecting ongoing regional tensions.

As of now, the SCAA has not issued a formal statement regarding Ethiopian Airlines' compliance or the resolution of the issue. This case may set a precedent for how similar issues are handled in the future, potentially influencing the operations of other international carriers in the region.