Somalia suspends aircraft over safety and compliance concerns

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has suspended several aircraft operating in Somalia following inspections that identified technical faults and non-compliance with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Authorities said the decision aims to strengthen flight safety and restore passenger confidence.

The move follows a February 10 incident involving an aircraft operated by Starsky Aviation, which experienced a technical malfunction shortly after departing from Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu. The aircraft reportedly veered off its intended path and came down near the Indian Ocean coastline. All 55 passengers on board survived, but the incident raised serious concerns about oversight, maintenance standards, and regulatory compliance.

SCAA further announced that, in light of growing regional economic integration in East Africa, it is tightening regulations related to seat configuration, service quality, and evaluation procedures to safeguard Somali passengers’ rights and ensure airlines adhere to international benchmarks.

Meanwhile, travelers flying between Mogadishu and Nairobi have increasingly voiced concerns over high ticket prices and cramped seating conditions. Round-trip fares on the roughly 90-minute route range between $400 and $450, which many passengers consider disproportionately high relative to the short distance and level of service provided.

Reports from passengers suggest that some airlines operating on the route use smaller aircraft configured with tightly spaced seating to maximize passenger numbers per flight. This has led to complaints about limited legroom and overall discomfort.

Critics argue that the route functions within a constrained market, as there are no viable and secure land transport alternatives. Limited competition, they say, allows airlines to maintain high fares without corresponding improvements in service quality.