Mogadishu (SD) – Somali Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Abdullahi Salat Oomaar for the first time addressed why Ethiopian Airlines failed to comply with the Somali government’s decision to suspend international flights to the country.

The minister acknowledged that the Airliner had been regularly flying its scheduled flights to Hargeisa, Somaliland, but failed to give details as to why.

“We give them permission, temporary or otherwise, and it is currently flying to Hargeisa, it brings Somali people, as you know that when someone travels to the country, they are quarantined for 14 days, so, those flights are unique.” Said the minister.

The minister also said except for Ethiopian Airlines, other airliners require permission from the federal government to land in Hargeisa, the administrative capital of Somaliland.

This is a clear indication that both Somaliland and Somalia do not have full control of the country’s airspace.

If Some planes can land without permission from the federal government and others who permission from Somaliland wouldn’t fly to Hargeisa, then its clear neither control their airspace.