Hargeisa (SLpost)- Somaliland is pursuing legal and diplomatic efforts to secure its airspace management rights, Aviation Minister Fu’ad Ahmed Nouh told the Cabinet, outlining the outcomes of his recent visit to Canada and engagements with international aviation stakeholders.
At the 79th session of the Somaliland Cabinet, chaired by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), the minister briefed ministers on meetings held in Montreal and efforts to address challenges related to the E-Visa system and disruptions affecting civil aviation.
Mr. Fu’ad said the engagements formed part of the government’s broader efforts to advance Somaliland’s position on airspace administration through legal and diplomatic channels, strengthen cooperation with international partners and address issues affecting the country’s aviation sector.
Montreal meetings focus on Somaliland’s aviation rights
Minister Fu’ad updated the Cabinet on meetings held in Montreal with representatives of countries friendly to Somaliland and various organisations involved in civil aviation. The discussions focused on Somaliland’s efforts to secure its airspace management rights, address challenges associated with the E-Visa system and respond to disruptions affecting civilian air travel.
Montreal is a key location for the engagements because it hosts the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), two major organisations in international aviation.
The minister also briefed the Cabinet on the legal discussions and engagements undertaken during the visit, as the Somaliland government pursues diplomatic and legal channels to advance its position on the administration of its airspace.
Minister addresses IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan
A significant part of the briefing concerned the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), an IATA system used by travel agents and airlines to facilitate the reporting and settlement of ticket sales.
According to a press release by tghe presidency, Minister Fu’ad stated that the BSP arrangement announced by the authorities in Mogadishu does not apply to Somaliland and will not be implemented at airports in the Republic of Somaliland.
The Somaliland Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development announced a regulation on 25 October 2026 prohibiting airlines operating in the country from using the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) system announced by the authorities in Mogadishu.
Under the directive, tickets issued through that system would not be accepted for departures from Somaliland’s airports, including tickets purchased outside Somaliland and return tickets.
The minister added that airlines had been instructed to communicate the directive to their representatives and ticket-sales offices to ensure that the requirements were conveyed throughout their operations.
Somaliland pursues legal and diplomatic channels
Concluding his briefing, Minister Fu’aad told the Cabinet that Somaliland was pursuing legal and diplomatic efforts to assert its airspace management rights, with support and cooperation from friendly countries and international organisations.
The latest briefing underscores Somaliland’s continued efforts to advance its airspace management rights through legal channels and international diplomacy.
To advance its airspace management objectives, Somaliland should prioritise formal legal engagement with international aviation bodies, strengthen diplomatic outreach to aviation authorities and partner governments, and establish a clear compliance framework for airlines operating at its airports.
