Two aircrafts registered in Somalia after three decades
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Staff reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 13-02-2021, 03:39PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - After three decades of civil disorder and internal political wrangles coupled with mistrust, Somalia has for the first time registered two aircraft, which will be cruising in the international skies, a notable milestone towards the stability of the Horn of Africa nation.
Somali Civil Aviation Authority issued certificates of registration to Freedom Airlines and Hala Airlines. The two airlines will now bear the 6O [Six Oscar] prefix on their aircraft. Most of the aircraft operating domestically in Somalia are Kenya registered aircraft with 5Y prefix [Five Yankee].
And the registration of the aircraft locally is yet another development in the aviation sector. This comes about three years after Somalia formally regained control of its airspace from the UN.
According to aviation experts, the registration means the airlines will now enjoy reduced landing and navigation fees among other charges since they will no longer be subjected to higher fees that apply to foreign airlines.
But the move however likely to face hurdles when it comes to meeting international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO], the global body by the United Nations responsible for the aviation industry.
According to the UN body, a country seeking to register an aircraft must have an Aircraft Maintenance Facility [AMF] to ensure it is able to provide maintenance services to its aircraft. Somalia currently does not have an Aircraft Maintenance Facility.
The SCAA will also need to issue the registered airlines with Air Operating Certificates [AOC] which are crucial in entering into aircraft leasing agreements with other major leasing companies.
Normally ICAO audits its member states including Somalia for aviation safety and aviation security.
Somalia's skies are regarded as the most unsafe in the Horn of Africa given the persistent Al-Shabaab threat and lack of proper civil regulations that lead to frequent violation of the country's airspace.
GAROWE ONLINE
