​Somalia restarts direct flights to Nairobi

MOGADISHU, Somalia-  Somalia has recommenced direct flights from the capital Mogadishu to Nairobi city, ending a ten-year stopover in Wajir Airport for security check-in, Garowe Online reports.

Somali PM Hassan Ali Khaire has welcomed the resumption of direct flight to Nairobi. In 2006, Kenya introduced a stopover in Wajir for all flights coming from Somalia to Nairobi as a step to increase security measures.

Kenya has long argued that the stopover in Wajir acts as a buffer against security threats posed by the Al Qaida-affiliated Al- Shabaab terror group in Somalia.

The reintroduction of direct flights from Mogadishu to Nairobi is expected to reduce the inconveniences faced by passengers between the two countries.

Last week, the leaders of Somalia and Kenya signed an agreement in Nairobi, opening a new charter of their long-standing bilateral relationship.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has also announced plans to open border control along with the re-launch of direct commercial flights.

The neighboring horn of Africa countries agreed to revitalize their engagement in all areas of mutual interests within the context of a reactivated joint commission of collaboration.

GAROWEONLINE