Somali Airspace Dispute: Ethiopian Airlines Flight Denied
In a significant turn of events on Wednesday, January 17, an Ethiopian Airlines flight was barred from entering Somali airspace. The aircraft, departing from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport en route to Hargeisa Egal International in Somaliland, was carrying Ethiopian officials and was forced to return to Addis Ababa. This incident occurs amidst escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, fueled by a controversial New Year's Day agreement.
According to simpleflying, the Ethiopian Airlines Dash 8, operating flight ET8372, faced an abrupt reroute just before exiting Ethiopian airspace, as per the Somali Civil Aviation Authority's (SCAA) orders. The SCAA stated that the flight lacked necessary permissions, highlighting the intricate aviation regulations governing international flights. Flightradar24 data revealed the aircraft's unexpected turnaround approximately 151.1 km from Hargeisa, resulting in its return to Addis Ababa at 10:20.
This airspace denial reflects deeper political complexities involving Somaliland, a self-declared state with its government, police, and currency, yet unrecognized officially by Somalia. The core of the dispute lies in a recent agreement where Somaliland offered Ethiopia a stake in Ethiopian Airlines and access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognition as a sovereign state. However, the Somali government vehemently opposes this deal, considering it an intrusion into its national sovereignty.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's stance is firm, having nullified the Ethiopia-Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding on January 6. This action emphasizes Somalia's claim over Somaliland and its refusal to acknowledge any territorial concessions. The Ethiopian Airlines incident, therefore, is not merely a flight reroute but a symbolic assertion of Somalia's territorial claims.
Amidst these developments, Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, continues to operate two daily flights to Hargeisa, with Boeing 737NGs, maintaining its significant presence in the region. The recent incident, however, raises questions about the future of air travel and political relations in the Horn of Africa, hinting at potential shifts in regional dynamics.