Saturday June 15, 2024
FILE PHOTO - Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's federal government has announced plans to build a new airport in Mogadishu, aiming to alleviate congestion at Aden Adde International Airport. Ahmed Moalim Hassan, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) general manager, revealed that the new airport would be located in El Ma'an. The decision follows a thorough five-year environmental and safety survey that found the site suitable for construction.
"Mogadishu will soon have a new airport capable of accommodating all aircraft types," Hassan said. "We have assessed the land and found it suitable for construction. Over the past five years, we have been evaluating the site's environment."
According to Hassan, the construction is expected to start soon, marking a significant step in modernizing Somalia's infrastructure.
Mogadishu's population is rapidly growing, with projections indicating substantial increases over the next decade. This demographic trend, coupled with poor roads, enhanced security and economic stability, has increased demand for air travel. The city's economic development is further boosting the need for improved aviation infrastructure.
Details about the new airport are scarce, but aviation experts say it should have at least two parallel runways, each 4,000 meters long, to accommodate large international flights. It should also have separate international and domestic terminals that can expand to accommodate increased passenger traffic. The airport should also include a modern cargo terminal with advanced logistics and storage systems. Maintenance hangars, fuel farms, a modern air traffic control tower, and security installations are among the available support facilities. A new airport could cost more than $1 billion, which includes construction, equipment, and operations.
Originally established in 1928 during Italian colonial rule, Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ) in Mogadishu is Somalia's primary hub for civilian and military aviation. After years of conflict, significant rehabilitation efforts began in 2010, transforming the airport into a modern facility with advanced technology and amenities.
The current airport features a primary runway (05/23) that is asphalt-paved, 3,150 meters long, and 45 meters wide, capable of handling large commercial and military aircraft. The international terminal, recently renovated, includes modern amenities such as duty-free shops, restaurants, and VIP lounges. A smaller domestic terminal handles local flights. A dedicated cargo terminal is equipped with storage and handling facilities, and the upgraded air traffic control tower ensures efficient air traffic management.
Aden Adde International Airport hosts international airlines like Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, and Air Arabia. It also serves domestic airlines such as Jubba Airways, Daallo Airlines, and Somali Airlines. The airport offers direct flights to various international destinations in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe and domestic connections to key Somali cities.
Significant efforts have been made to modernize Aden Adde International Airport's infrastructure and facilities. With over 40 daily flights, the airport handles about 1.5 million passengers annually and around 30,000 tons of cargo.