Somaliland Enforces New Visa Rules, Diverts Non-Compliant Flights

Somaliland has begun diverting international flights that fail to comply with its newly enforced visa and airspace requirements, escalating tensions with Somalia over border and aviation control. The self-declared republic, which remains internationally unrecognised, announced that it will no longer accept visas issued by Somalia and will instead issue visas on arrival at Hargeisa and Berbera airports, pending immigration checks and fee payment.

The move follows a directive from Somalia earlier in November instructing airlines to require Somalian visas for passengers travelling to Hargeisa. In response, Somaliland has tightened control over its airspace, leading to a series of international flight diversions reportedly rerouted to Djibouti and Ethiopia after failing to secure prior clearance.

Somaliland’s civil aviation minister Fuad Ahmed Nuh said airlines must obtain authorisation before operating in its airspace, noting that roughly 90 aircraft transit Somaliland daily. He added that about 40% of operators have complied, while others are being instructed to divert. Presidency minister Khadar Hussein Abdi stated that Somaliland is acting to safeguard what it considers sovereign control over borders, immigration, and airspace.

A November 9 notice from border control commissioner Mohamed Hussein Farah confirmed that Somali-issued visas are no longer recognised at any entry point. Travellers must now apply for Somaliland entry permits at representative offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, the UK, the US, Taiwan, Türkiye, and Djibouti. The directive took immediate effect and remains active until further notice.

The policy has been acknowledged through travel alerts issued by IATA, the UK Foreign Office, Ethiopian Airlines, and flydubai. The dispute adds to longstanding friction, as Somalia has previously considered legal action over earlier flight diversions.

Somaliland declared independence in 1991 but is still regarded by Somalia and the international community as part of the Somali state.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com