Somaliland's Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports has announced significant new restrictions on air travel, prohibiting airlines from routing passengers through Mogadishu. This directive, slated to take effect on December 1, 2025, will impact all international passengers, both those departing from and arriving in Hargeisa. Under the new regulations, travelers flying from Hargeisa to third-country destinations, as well as those arriving in Hargeisa from international locations, will no longer be permitted to transit through Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.

The Somaliland government stated that these measures are crucial for safeguarding passengers and align with international aviation standards. The ministry's statement emphasized that the decision is in accordance with Somaliland's obligations under ICAO Annex 17 concerning aviation security and passenger safety, reiterating that protecting the security of its citizens and international travelers is a top priority.

Airlines operating in Somaliland have been explicitly instructed to remove all Mogadishu-linked connections from their ticketing systems and flight schedules. This order is binding on all carriers serving Hargeisa's Egal International Airport. Somaliland has also affirmed its commitment to upholding both international and national aviation safety requirements, despite its ongoing lack of formal international recognition.

This decision follows closely on the heels of a major cybersecurity breach involving Somalia's recently introduced e-Visa platform. The breach exposed the personal data of over 35,000 travelers, including foreign nationals, aid workers, and diplomats. Both the U.S. Embassy in Somalia and the UK Foreign Office issued public warnings about the incident, highlighting risks such as identity theft, data misuse, and insecure processing systems. Analysts suggest that this breach has intensified concerns regarding Somalia's capability to meet fundamental aviation security, data protection, and passenger-safety standards.

Aviation experts have also noted that the long-standing dispute between Somaliland and Somalia has escalated. Accusations have emerged that Somalia is mismanaging shared airspace arrangements and leveraging administrative tools, including the e-Visa platform, to exert control over travelers to and from Somaliland. Such actions, experts contend, have amplified fears concerning passenger rights, safety, and potential political interference with freedom of movement.