Somali Civil Aviation Authority turned away a cargo plane destined for the self-declared republic of Somaliland from Sharjah on Thursday, marking the second instance of the Somali government denying airspace permission in the last 24 hours.
The country’s Civil Aviation body stated in a release that the cargo plane, registered in Thailand (registration P4-JAG), failed to provide information on its cargo.
On Wednesday, the Aviation Agency turned away an unauthorized Ethiopian Airlines plane (ET8372) D-8-Q400 from Somali airspace, citing a lack of “authorization to utilize Somali airspace. The flight, Dash 8-Q400, with flight number ET8372, en route to Egal International Airport in Hargeisa, was compelled to turn back. The Ethiopian officials were visiting Somaliland to discuss a deal, which has sparked a huge row.
Somalia considers Somaliland to be part of its territory.
The agreement, signed on 1 January, would allow Somaliland to lease one of its ports to Ethiopia in exchange for a stake in Ethiopian Airlines and possible recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state.
Somalia has reacted angrily to the deal, calling it an act of aggression.
