HARGEISA, Somaliland – On August 20, 2024, FlyDubai flight FDB617, en route to Hargeisa, was forced to divert to Djibouti due to runway damage at Egal International Airport. Airport officials reported that recent heavy rains had exacerbated an existing pothole on the tarmac, rendering it unsafe for landing.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the state of Somaliland’s aviation infrastructure. Egal International Airport, Somaliland’s primary air hub, has been operating without night landing capabilities for years, limiting its operational hours and international connections.
When asked why the flight couldn’t be redirected to Berbera Airport, Somaliland’s second-largest airfield, an aviation official speaking on condition of anonymity stated, “Berbera airport currently lacks the necessary certification for international flights. The groundwork for such diversions hasn’t been completed.”
Attempts to reach Mr. Omar Sayid Abdilahi Aden, General Manager of the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority, for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
Contrary to initial reports, flight tracking data from open-source aviation websites reveals that FlyDubai flight FDB617 did not enter a holding pattern over Hargeisa as previously suggested. Instead, the aircraft abruptly altered its course towards Djibouti while still a considerable distance from Egal International Airport. This new information raises questions about the exact timing and nature of the decision to divert. Aviation experts speculate that the crew may have been informed of the runway issues well in advance of their approach to Hargeisa, prompting an earlier-than-expected route change. This discrepancy between the reported narrative and actual flight data underscores the need for greater transparency from both airline and airport officials regarding the circumstances of the diversion.
FlyDubai, officially Dubai Aviation Corporation, is a government-owned budget airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Established in 2008, it has rapidly grown to become a significant carrier in the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa. The airline operates a fleet of modern Boeing 737 aircraft and serves over 90 destinations, including several routes to the Horn of Africa. FlyDubai’s Hargeisa service, launched in 2015, has been crucial in connecting Somaliland to the wider world, facilitating business travel and diaspora visits. The airline’s presence in Somaliland has been seen as a vote of confidence in the region’s stability and economic potential. This context makes the recent diversion particularly noteworthy, as it affects a key international link for Hargeisa and potentially impacts the perception of Somaliland’s aviation readiness among international carriers.
Egal International Airport has long struggled with flight diversions due to adverse weather conditions and inadequate infrastructure. During the rainy season, poor visibility often forces pilots to reroute to alternative airports. In 2023 alone, over a dozen international flights were diverted from Hargeisa, with many opting to land in Djibouti or Addis Ababa instead. Airport officials have cited the lack of advanced navigational aids and landing systems as a key factor behind these recurring diversions. Without the necessary equipment to guide aircraft during low-visibility approaches, Egal International remains highly vulnerable to disruptions, stranding passengers and negatively impacting commerce. Resolving these longstanding infrastructure shortcomings has been a significant challenge for Somaliland’s aviation authorities.
This event occurs against a backdrop of long-standing infrastructure challenges in Somaliland. Despite economic growth in recent years, particularly in the port city of Berbera, aviation facilities have seen limited improvement. A 2023 report by the Somaliland Chamber of Commerce highlighted that only 2% of the national budget was allocated to aviation infrastructure in the past five years.
The Somali government has repeatedly attempted to reassert control over Somaliland’s airspace, which has been a source of tension between the two entities. However, Somaliland has successfully managed to wrestle control of its airspace from Somalia, a victory symbolizing its autonomy. Despite this, the necessary investments in Somaliland’s aviation infrastructure have lagged, with inadequate facilities, particularly at night, when planes are unable to land at Egal International due to the absence of essential infrastructure.
As Somaliland continues to pursue economic development and increased international trade, incidents like the FlyDubai diversion underscore the urgent need for infrastructure improvement.