Somalia reopens its airspace for Kenya Airways to start flights to Mogadishu

Somalia's leader, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, inked deals with his counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, in Nairobi during his first official trip to Kenya's capital on Friday.

News Keydmedia Online
16 July 2022

NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia has allowed the resumption of Kenya Airways scheduled flights to the capital Mogadishu in the latest sign of improving ties between the two neighboring countries.

The decision was made during the meeting between Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday in Nairobi. 

Somalia's leader, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, inked deals with his counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, in Nairobi during his first official trip to Kenya's capital on Friday.

Both countries will also process visas for ordinary passport holders within ten working days, and issue free courtesy visas on arrival for dignitaries, and diplomats.

The Kenyan national carrier’s approval to fly to Mogadishu had been pending for years, and Somalia initially pulled a plug in protest to Nairobi’s strict aviation rules that required stopovers in Wajir, in northeastern Kenya, for security checks, the EastAfrican reported.

Mohamud and Ururu also agreed to iron out all their diplomatic issues through a common organ known as the Joint Commission on Cooperation. Somalia has lifted Miraa imports after a two-year ban.

According to an investigation by Keydmedia Online, more than 16 cargo flights of Khat [Miraa] land in Mogadishu every single day from Kenya, bringing in about 13,000 bags of the stimulant with a total value of over $400,000.

KEYDMEDIA English + Agencies