Hundreds stranded at Mogadishu airport as local flights are cancelled

Hundreds of passengers were stranded Wednesday at the main airport in the Somalia capital, Mogadishu, after local operators cancelled flights in a protest against an extra fee on all local ticket purchases.

Scenes were chaotic at the domestic flights terminal of the Aden Adde International Airport, with thousands across Somalia missing their flights. The seats in waiting lounges were full so many strolled about or sat on their bags or the floor.

“We have been stranded at the airport from 7 am this morning. I was heading to Beletweyne. This is unacceptable. We are tired, angry, hungry and badly inconvenienced by the flight cancellations," traveller Fatuma Ali said.

Local travel agents said they were forced to halt operations after the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation imposed a $9 fee on all local ticket purchases to cater for advanced passenger information processing.

Flights to Hargeisa, Bosasso, Galkaayo, Garowe, Beletweyne, Jowhar, Dhusamareb, Adaado, Guri’el, Dolow, Kismayo, Dhobley, and Garbaharey were among those affected.

The ministry was not immediately available for comment.

PM intervenes

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Bare later intervened, visiting the airport, speaking to travellers, and ordering the local flight operators back to work with the promise of addressing all their grievances.

“I am sorry for the inconvenience caused to you all. Please bear with us,” he is overheard telling a crowd of passengers in a video shared by state media.

State media reported that the Prime Minister also ordered the waiver of the newly imposed fee and for travel to resume immediately.

His order was implemented but the queues were long and airline sources said the backlog was huge and would take a long time to clear.

Parliamentarian Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu urged government agencies to ease the burden on travellers.

“I passed through the airport this morning and what I saw was heart-wrenching. I saw women, children, the elderly and even the sick stranded at the airport due to a fee said to have been imposed by authorities. I urge the government to intervene. We need to support public transport, not make it harder for the people,” Mohamed told The Eastleigh Voice.

Travellers wait at the the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, on March 6, 2024, after local operators cancelled flights in a protest against additional ticket fees. (Photo: SNTV)

Association demands justice

Most airports in Somalia do not operate at night but insecurity has forced many to fly since it is risky to use road connections. As such, demand has increased and so have the costs, with some towns having two flights per day.

Mursal Mohamed Abdi, chairman of the Somalia Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (SATTA), said business was "badly affected" over the last two days.

"We demand justice for the thousands of clients inconvenienced. The government should have consulted before imposing the extra fee since the public is already burdened. We appreciate the Prime Minister's timely intervention and hope the matter will be addressed,” Mursal told The Eastleigh Voice.

Sources at the airport confirmed a high-level meeting aimed at resolving the impasse after the PM ordered the matter resolved.

They said a stakeholders meeting took place at the airport, with representatives from government agencies including the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), and domestic air travel operators present.