The Sharjah-based Air Arabia is in the process of launching direct flights to Somaliland's coastal city Berbera in the first quarter of this year.
The former director general of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, Ahmed Dalal Farah, revealed this late last year before he was replaced.
"Air Arabia have approached us with an interest in making our Berbera International Airport a commercial hub for destinations to western Africa," he said.
The Minister of Civil Aviation Mr. Mohamud Hashi Abdi this week travelled to the headquarters of the low-cost airline in the Sharjah Freight Center to finalize the deal. He was accompanied by Dr. Mohamed A Omar, Minister of Trade and Investment.
Establish in 2003 by Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, the airline became the first budget airline in the region.
Today it operates over 51 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Europe including 22 countries from Sharjah directly.
Berbera will become its next hub as the airline eyes the growing market in east and west Africa.
Somaliland ministers toured the facility at Sharjah International Airport (check out the UAE and Somaliland flags).
Other airlines Somaliland aviation plans to ink a deal include Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Yemen Airways. They all keen on operating services to and from either Berbera or Egal International Airport in Hargeisa. Egal is currently under maintenance work and is in the final stage of receiving a 1.6km extension and security perimeter.
Other airlines Somaliland aviation plans to ink a deal include Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Yemen Airways. They all keen on operating services to and from either Berbera or Egal International Airport in Hargeisa. Egal is currently under maintenance work and is in the final stage of receiving a 1.6km extension and security perimeter.
