The Federal Government of Somalia has officially lifted the ban on flights to Doolow District in the Gedo region, reopening the local airstrip after several months of closure due to security concerns.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, confirmed the government’s decision to resume flight operations. He emphasized that the move comes in response to the pressing needs of local residents, particularly those preparing to travel for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage.
The Doolow airstrip had been shut down since December 23, 2024, following a serious security incident in which a Halla Airlines flight (registration 60-AAB) traveling from Mogadishu to Kismayo was hijacked and diverted to Doolow in violation of Somalia’s aviation regulations.
“Taking into account the public’s growing need to access the Doolow airstrip, and after receiving firm assurances from the local administration and regional security forces about the joint protection of the facility, we have made the decision to reopen the airport, effective May 11, 2025,” the ministry’s statement read.
The reopening of the airstrip is expected to significantly improve mobility and economic activity in the region, restoring a vital link for travel, trade, and humanitarian access. Residents and local businesses have long awaited the resumption of air services, which are seen as a lifeline for the remote border district.
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