Ethiopian Airlines Given Three-Week Deadline by Somaliland to Restore Its Name on Flight Destinations

Somaliland Gives Two Airlines a Deadline to List Its Name on Their Flights

Authorities in Somaliland have given Ethiopian Airlines and Flydubai a three-week grace period to re-register Somaliland’s name on flights to Hargeisa and Berbera.

This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation and Airports Authority in Somaliland. However, the statement did not specify what actions would be taken against the two airlines if they fail to comply.

Recently, Ethiopian Airlines and Flydubai followed an order from the Somali government in Mogadishu to remove the name “Somaliland” from their websites and replace it with “Somalia” when referring to cities in Somaliland. The Somali government had threatened to revoke the airlines’ licenses if they did not comply within three days.

The airlines’ compliance with the Somali government’s directive angered Somaliland authorities, who viewed this as a violation of their claimed independence. As a result, Somaliland authorities began demanding that the airlines re-register Somaliland’s name on the flights they operate to its cities.

Somaliland, with a population of 5.7 million, has its own constitution, passport, army, currency, government, President, and holds regular direct elections. However, its lack of international recognition has been a significant obstacle to accessing the funding and assistance needed for economic development.

On June 26, 1960, Somaliland, located in the north, gained independence from Britain. The leaders of the region voluntarily decided to join the south to achieve the dream of “Greater Somalia.” The union between the South and North was announced on July 1 of the same year, immediately after the South gained its independence.

However, in 1988, leaders of the Somali National Movement led a military rebellion demanding secession, resulting in violence with the central government. This violence led to the displacement and killing of hundreds and the destruction of cities, deepening the divide between the south and north.

Following the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence on May 18 of that year. However, it has yet to receive any international or regional recognition.