Buur Hakaba Airport Opens in Southwest State of Somalia Amid Security Threats 

MOGADISHU, Somalia - To boost trade and dependable supply routes in the Southwest state, a new airport has been commissioned in Buur Hakaba, giving locals direct access in the middle of increased Al-Shabaab attacks and persistent military operations.

As part of the collective responsibility to open the airspace, Southwest state leader Abdiaziz Lafta-Gareen and Somali Civil Aviation Authority Director Ahmed Macallin Hassan graced the opening ceremony of the event in the country.

“We have waited for years for an airport in Buur Hakaba,” Laftagareen said. “Today [Sunday] we open the first phase, and future phases will expand it into a full international airport with a paved runway.”

The airport, officials said, was built through close collaboration between the South West administration and Buur Hakaba residents, who contributed funding alongside state support—a reflection of their resilience and commitment to supporting the local economy.

Hassan Abdi Nur, the transport minister, said Buur Hakaba is strategically placed and its proximity to Baidoa would potentially boost the aviation industry in southern Somalia. He said the facility would ease the delivery of exam materials for students and secure voting equipment for upcoming elections.

“The idea came from the president, the funding from the people of Buur Hakaba, and the support from the state government,” the minister said. He recalled last travelling the Baidoa–Buur Hakaba road in 2008, describing it as unsafe and neglected.

Officials said the new facility is expected to spur economic growth by improving the flow of goods and services, creating jobs, and opening new opportunities for trade and investment in the Bay region, where the government is actively involved in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Somalia is struggling with security challenges, and for the last few decades, air transport has become the most reliable form of transportation due to safety concerns. In addition, the country's road infrastructure is believed to be deplorable due to many years of civil war and terrorism.

GAROWE ONLINE