Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority and IATA Sign Landmark Agreement Today to Strengthen National Flight Safety Oversight
-
The Arab Post
- . October 20, 2026
- . Update: October 20, 2026 4:40 pm
Somalia IATA Agreement, This week was an important step for aviation in the Horn of Africa as they achieved a big regulatory success. Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have completed a historic IATA agreement to take a bold step towards enhancing Somalia’s flight safety oversight.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by top aviation officials during a high-level ceremony in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on 18 October 2026. The agreement pledges the Somali regulator to accept two main IATA safety audit schemes as legally acceptable compliance with the Somali civil aviation requirements.
The swift change in regulation is a direct contribution to Somali’s ongoing efforts to completely modernize and secure Somali airspace.
Adopting IOSA and ISAGO Global Standards
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority has officially given IATA’s tough third-party audit as its reference to keep monitoring the airlines and airport logistics.
In particular, the SCAA is aware of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which closely examines an airline’s operating management and control systems. In addition, the country will expand standards-based supervision of companies providing the critical ground-handling services at local airports through the introduction of IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO).
IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, and Somali Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Farah Nuh, and SCAA Director General Ahmed Moallim Hassan, signed the document. Implementing these standards that are adopted worldwide will help to minimize audit duplication, operational risk and develop a strong safety culture throughout the country, said Alawadhi.
Driving the Focus Africa Initiative – Somalia IATA Agreement
This local IATA agreement is under the umbrella of the IATA’s Focus Africa. The continental program is specifically geared towards tackling some of the challenges that are critical in the area of critical infrastructure, connectivity and regulation, which are currently limiting aviation development in Africa.
The addition of the IOSA and ISAGO protocols are a historic institutional achievement for Somalia. After the central government ceased to exist in 1991, the country’s civil aviation system has been in need of large-scale and systematic rebuilding.
In recent years, Mogadishu has regained complete jurisdiction over its airspace and the regulation of its domestic airports. The move to standard international audits is a prerequisite condition that has to be met to bring foreign commercial airlines back to the capital, regional analysts from the Aviation Safety Network reported.
It is the latest in a raft of aviation safety advances made by the government. It restarted the IATA Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) – Somalia’s first official return to a centralized airline ticketing and financial settlement process after 35 years of its absence.It was also the day Somalia officially reopened its IATA Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) – a process completely missing in Somalia for 35 years.
At the end of the day, and as the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) implements these new regulatory measures, Somalia is progressively coming out of the grip of its past instability. Through the increased emphasis on flight safety oversight, Mogadishu is making a strong statement to the aviation industry around the world that its aviation industry is safe, regulated, and ready for international business.
Top Picks For You
Discover top Middle East tourist sights?
Explore must-visit landmarks across the region for travelers.
Explore essential apps for Arab travel?
Check must-have apps to simplify your trip planning.
Check common travel mistakes Arab countries?
Discover key errors tourists should avoid during visits.
Explore top Arab festivals for tourists?
Discover unique cultural events across non-GCC destinations.
Check tourist safety tips Arab countries?
Explore essential precautions for safe and smooth travel.
