In a major milestone for Somalia’s aviation industry, the government has confirmed the acquisition of two Airbus A320 aircraft for Somali Airlines, signaling the national carrier’s long-anticipated return to commercial operations after more than three decades of inactivity.
The announcement was made during a signing ceremony held in Mogadishu on Monday, where Somalia’s Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Farah Nur, revealed that the airline is set to resume flights within the next two months.
The move is part of a broader government strategy to reestablish Somali Airlines as a key player in both domestic and international air travel.
Somali Airlines was once among Africa’s trailblazing national carriers before civil unrest in the early 1990s forced the airline to cease operations.
The return of Somali Airlines also revives the legacy of trailblazing figures like Captain Asli Hassan Abade, a true aviation pioneer and one of Africa’s first female military-trained pilots.
In a time when very few women in the world, let alone in Africa, were taking to the skies, Captain Asli broke barriers by becoming the first Somali woman to fly a military aircraft and one of the earliest women to serve as a commercial pilot in the Horn of Africa.
In the 1970s, she flew with Somali Airlines, symbolising national progress, gender inclusion, and the limitless potential of Somali women.
Her presence in the cockpit not only challenged deep-rooted gender norms but also opened the runway for future generations of Somali girls to dream bigger.
Captain Asli became a celebrated national icon, representing both courage and possibility during a golden era for Somali civil aviation.
As the national carrier prepares for its long-awaited return, its legacy looms large, reminding the nation of what it once achieved and what it can aspire to again.
With modern aircraft and renewed national backing, Somali Airlines is positioning itself to reconnect Somalia with global air routes and inspire a new chapter in the country's aviation legacy.