The Somalia Civil Aviation Authority has suspended at least seven aircraft from service after identifying serious maintenance and safety issues. Most of the grounded planes are registered in Malawi and had been operating domestic routes across Somalia.
Officials at Aden Adde International Airport confirmed that the aircraft were withdrawn following inspections that revealed potential faults posing risks to passengers. Operators will only be allowed to resume flights once their aircraft have undergone comprehensive maintenance verification and met all safety standards set by the authority.
The move marks the largest single suspension of aircraft within Somalia’s aviation sector, coming amid a wave of public complaints about the poor condition of some planes operated by local airlines—many of which have been in service for decades.
This action follows an incident last week in which a civilian aircraft crashed off the coast of Mogadishu. Fortunately, all 55 passengers on board were safely evacuated, and no casualties were reported.