After 41 years of bad blood, direct flights between Ethiopia and Somalia resume

For 41 years, there has not been a direct flight between Somalia and Ethiopia. But history is already changing.

Early Friday, the first flight from Addis Ababa landed in Mogadishu. Aboard the flight were 48 passengers who celebrated upon landing.

Flights between the two countries stopped after the 1977 war over the Ogaden region.

Plans to resume the flights were discussed as part of improving relationships between the two nations following a meeting between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in June 2018.

Ethiopian Airlines is now expected to operate daily flights between the two capitals, according to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ethiopian Airlines made its first flight to Mogadishu in over 40 years
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Ethiopian Airlines made its first flight to Mogadishu in over 40 years on Friday (November 09). It was the first commercial flight between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu since 1977 and #EthiopianAirlines is now expected to operate daily flights between the two capitals. The move provides another sign of the improved relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Abiy paid a visit to Mogadishu in June, when he and Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed agreed to strengthen relations.

This would be the second historic flight in the region after Ethiopia resumed flights to Eritrea since the 1998-2000 war.

The flights are expected to not only ease travel between the two countries but also help business as well as spur commercial activities.

BY NDUTA WAWERU
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