Somalia unveils plans to construct new airport

Somalia has unveiled a plan to construct a new airport in the Habaay area, some 35km from the capital Mogadishu.

The plan was unveiled by Bashir Moalim Ali Hassan, Director General of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.

He explained that the new airport will be a large-scale international facility named the New Mogadishu Airport.

Seeking investment, Moalim urged Somali business leaders and major companies to contribute to the development of the country's airports by helping to boost their quality and increase their number.

"I urge the Somali business leaders to invest in our nation's airports. As you know, we're embarking on an ambitious project to build a large international airport near Mogadishu, named New Mogadishu Airport. The location is the Habaay area, approximately 35 kilometres from the capital. Your investment will be crucial in making this vision a reality," Bashir Moalim said.

The Director General cited several reasons for the new airport project.

Firstly, Mogadishu has witnessed a significant rise in air traffic, with both incoming and outgoing flights increasing steadily.

Secondly, the growing demand for international travel necessitates a larger airport capacity. Additionally, he pointed out that the existing Aden Adde International Airport is located within the city limits, hindering its potential for expansion.

Bashir Moalim stressed the importance of the government in providing comprehensive training for Somalia-based crews as well as international-level education and training for many Somali pilots as there are a large number of Somali-owned airlines coming to the market that need more workers.

"With the rise of Somali-owned airlines, there's a growing need to train crew and staff. There is also a need to comprehensively educate and train Somali pilots and equip them with the necessary skills to work for the new domestic airlines or pursue opportunities with international carriers."

The proposed New Mogadishu Airport, with its promise of increased capacity and modern infrastructure, has the potential to be a game-changer for Somalia.

If successfully implemented, the airport could become a critical driver of economic growth, attracting investment, boosting trade, and connecting Somalia more effectively to the world.

However, careful planning and execution will be crucial to ensure the project delivers on its ambitious goals. The new project comes at a time when Somalia has joined the East African bloc, thus providing a market base to eight countries within the region including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Kenya Airways, a leading airline in Africa dubbed the pride of Africa, is among the frequent airlines plying the Nairobi-Mogadishu route.