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Somalia denies banning Israeli airlines from its airspace

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s government on Friday denied reports that it had banned Israeli airlines from using its airspace in retaliation for Israel’s recognition of the self-declared breakaway region of Somaliland in December last year.An official at Somalia’s Ministry of Aviation told the BBC that the reports were false and described them as concerning, warning that such claims could damage the reputation of the country’s civil aviation authority. He said there had been no government decision to prohibit Israeli aircraft or deny them overflight permissions.The official also rejected claims that Arkia, an Israeli airline, had been barred from Somali airspace. He dismissed the reports as untrue and said Somalia continued to comply with international aviation laws and established protocols.However, Arkia said the Somali authorities had not renewed its periodic overflight permit for the month of February. Without such authorisation, airlines are unable to operate through a country’s airspace, a situation that could in practice amount to a ban.“As part of international aviation procedures, airlines submit periodic requests for air transit permits on various routes. As of now, Arkia has not yet received the renewal of the periodic permit for air transit over Somalia for February,” Arkia said in a statement.“If approval is not received by the beginning of February, the company will operate flights on an alternative route, without any change to flight times and without harming passengers,” the carrier added.Somalia’s federal government, which relies heavily on support from Western countries, has become increasingly embroiled in tensions with Israel since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December.In the weeks following the announcement, Somalia’s president and senior cabinet members issued strong public criticism of Israel and its leadership. Some remarks escalated to threats, including comments by Somali General Yusuf Indho Adde, who warned of possible attacks in response to Israel’s engagement with Hargeisa.It remains unclear whether any restriction on Israeli airlines would provoke a response from the United States, Somalia’s most significant international backer for decades, and a key pillar of support for the authorities in Mogadishu.Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com

admin Published: January 31, 2026 | Updated: January 31, 2026 2 minutes read

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s government on Friday denied reports that it had banned Israeli airlines from using its airspace in retaliation for Israel’s recognition of the self-declared breakaway region of Somaliland in December last year.

An official at Somalia’s Ministry of Aviation told the BBC that the reports were false and described them as concerning, warning that such claims could damage the reputation of the country’s civil aviation authority. He said there had been no government decision to prohibit Israeli aircraft or deny them overflight permissions.

The official also rejected claims that Arkia, an Israeli airline, had been barred from Somali airspace. He dismissed the reports as untrue and said Somalia continued to comply with international aviation laws and established protocols.

However, Arkia said the Somali authorities had not renewed its periodic overflight permit for the month of February. Without such authorisation, airlines are unable to operate through a country’s airspace, a situation that could in practice amount to a ban.

“As part of international aviation procedures, airlines submit periodic requests for air transit permits on various routes. As of now, Arkia has not yet received the renewal of the periodic permit for air transit over Somalia for February,” Arkia said in a statement.

“If approval is not received by the beginning of February, the company will operate flights on an alternative route, without any change to flight times and without harming passengers,” the carrier added.

Somalia’s federal government, which relies heavily on support from Western countries, has become increasingly embroiled in tensions with Israel since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December.

In the weeks following the announcement, Somalia’s president and senior cabinet members issued strong public criticism of Israel and its leadership. Some remarks escalated to threats, including comments by Somali General Yusuf Indho Adde, who warned of possible attacks in response to Israel’s engagement with Hargeisa.

It remains unclear whether any restriction on Israeli airlines would provoke a response from the United States, Somalia’s most significant international backer for decades, and a key pillar of support for the authorities in Mogadishu.