Somalia Accuses Ethiopia of Undermining its Sovereignty by Violating Air Travel Regulations

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has accused Ethiopia of undermining its sovereignty by violating air traveling regulations in yet another diplomatic tussle between the two countries.

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) in a letter to the Ethiopian Airlines on Wednesday, says the state-owned Ethiopian carrier had, in its airport codes failed to refer to Somalia and instead only mentioned the cities where the airports are domiciled.

SCAA in its letter noted that the Ethiopian airlines for instance failed to identify Hargeisa airport in Somaliland as located in Somalia, but only used the code “Hargeisa (HGA), and not “Hargeisa, (HGA), Somalia as required.

Further, Somalia accused the Ethiopian airlines of allegedly mistreating Somali passengers travelling on the airline.

“We have received an increasing number of unacceptable complaints from the Somali public regarding their travel experiences with Ethiopian Airlines,” the letter reads in part.

Somalia also stated that if the anomalies are not corrected, it will suspend Ethiopian airlines from operating in its territory.

“We must emphasize that if these issues are not resolved by 23rd August 2024, the SC _AA will have no choice but to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Somalia, effective from that date. This would result in the cessation of Ethiopian Airlines’ services to Somalia,” the letter adds.

Adding, any future recurrence, such as not identifying the destinations in Somalia, will result in suspension without further warning.

The Somali regulator also warned Fly Dubai to make similar changes. Fly Dubai indicates Hargeisa, Somaliland.

The SCAA has directed the two airlines to effect the changes before Friday this week.