Tourism Disrupted in Somaliland: The Impact of the New Airspace Restrictions on International Travel
November 20, 2025, Somaliland declared closure of all passenger airlines through Mogadishu, re-routing and cancelling flights to Hargeisa and all further destinations. After 8 months of bloody civil conflict and closure of Mogadishu International Airport, Somaliland authorities created skies to be advertised, flying airlines seeking Visas and Placeholder Airspace contracts to now-undetained destinations. Managing airspace refusals and the growing intended traffic, Somaliland authorities chose to prioritise first-come-passenger airlines, requesting to monopolise the airspace. The local and strategic value of Mogadishu airspace does not nullify the individual interests of airlines seeking contracts. Visions of monopoly rule lead to encouragement of intended air traffic, discouraging flights intended, and tourism providers contracting airspace.
Somaliland, the declared Republic and territorially independent under International law, denying Mogadishu a Republic to maintain International Lines of Succession, now focuses on the Civil conflict’s completion. Somaliland’s flight closure and rational disregard of Mogadishu’s civil relations, leads to all persons, internally, and externally, voyaging to, and through, tourism to be under a single destination. Authorities now expect first-come tourism, and advance the aged- structures capable of flying around the un-militarized and marketed first to arrive actively
Air traffic demands conflict to disregard civil relations and tourism to surround demands.Effects on Nearby Travel and Business Visits
The business and tourism opportunities in the area have been disturbed with the decision made by Somaliland officials to stop overflights from Mogadishu. Tourism is one of the most impacted of these sectors, contributing greatly to Somaliland`s economy. Blocking overtransit flights from Mogadishu makes it necessary for airlines to rethink their directional pathways. This means longer and more convoluted trips for airline passengers, lessening the ease of access for tourists wanting to travel to the region and ultimately hurting demand for tourism.
With the newly implemented airspace restrictions, there is now more travel complication for tourists eager to enjoy Somaliland`s cultural and historical treasures, as well as its untouched landscapes. Somaliland is home to popular tourist attractions such as the Laas Geel cave paintings, the picturesque beaches of Berbera, and lively markets of Hargeisa. These attractions have drawn travelers from all over the globe. But now, with a limited flight pathway available, travelers face longer travel times and higher priced, less convenient flights. Astoundingly, airspace restrictions have the potential to greatly decrease the number of visiting tourists due to a disruption of this nature.
Business investors and travelers have reservations about predicted delays and uncertainties with air travel. For an extended period, Somaliland has sustained solid international trade partnerships, prioritizing the development of air travel for supporting business and trade conference travel, as well as travel for investment purposes. The foreign air space restrictions may hinder foreign investment in Somaliland, as it would be more difficult for foreign business travelers to access the region to organize and attend meeting conferences.
Tourist travel and other alternative travel routes.
Airlines in the region are exploring other travel routes to accommodate passengers traveling to and from Somaliland and other Eastern Africa countries, given the regional air space dispute. Ethiopian Airlines, the largest in the Horn of Africa, may modify its travel timetables and operational routes to the region, in order to comply with the new travel restrictions, as other airlines in the region may be also affected by the air space regulations and Ethiopian Airlines.
Travel specialists acknowledge the changing situations and encourage travellers to organize their trips accordingly. Tourists must verify their flight paths and must check the airline for updates to their travels before making a reservation. Currently, travelers to Somaliland may be forced to choose longer layover connecting flights, or other entry points to the region, such as Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Nairobi, Kenya, before they land in Somaliland.
Potential Effects on Diaspora Travel and Cultural Tourism
Somaliland tourism in large part stems from the popular travel cycle of the region’s diaspora. Many members of the Somali diaspora and especially those in the US, Canada, the UK, and Middle East, travel frequently to Somaliland for family visits, cultural tourism, and humanitarian and business activities. New restrictions to airspace and the consequences on itineraries may hinder diaspora from maintaining their travel cycles and restrict family visits and cultural tourism.Cultural tourism involves disruptions that may affect planned activities like traditional holidays, festivals, and conferences, which local and international tourists alike attend. The ease of access to Somaliland may increase the number of people coming to the area to enjoy the rich culture, unique traditions, and historical value.
Influences on Regional Air Connectivity
On top of the immediate consequences on Somaliland, the airspace dispute also has to do with the Horn of Africa and Somaliland. The blockage of flight paths with Somaliland and Somalia could cause a domino effect that negatively impacts travel for those in the region. This is especially the case for those who travel in the East African countries and those in the Middle East and other parts of the world like Europe and Asia.
Most airlines are currently trying to improve their services, and the demands of their services due to airspace closures can negatively impact their ability to serve the region. The management of airspace has a direct impact on tourism and business dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
Conclusion
The dispute over airspace between Somaliland and Somalia is changing the air travel and tourism activities in the region. The dispute has consequences on global tourism, business travel, and intra-regional travel. Airlines have experienced flight operational difficulties that to delays and cancellations of planned travel to the region. Travel to and within the region has become more complicated. It is of utmost importance tourism service providers, the travel and tourism public authorities, and the airlines implement strategies that will allow travel to the tourism sites of interest in Somaliland, adjust the travel to the region focus, and accommodate the complex airspace rule changes.
Due to the airspace dispute, travelers who planned to visit Somaliland, and other destinations in the Horn of Africa, tourism sites, and travel services need to evaluate other travel options. The airspace changes will support the seamless flow of travelers and facilitate the growth of tourism in the East Africa region.
