MOGADISHU – Fresh reports emerging from Hyderabad, India, suggest that the deepening diplomatic standoff between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has begun to impact commercial travel, leaving dozens of Somali nationals in limbo.
According to unverified accounts and visual evidence circulating on Monday, more than 50 Somali passengers were denied boarding at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) in Hyderabad. The travelers, many of whom are believed to be medical tourists and students, were reportedly booked on Air Arabia flight G9660 with a connecting itinerary via Sharjah (SHJ) to Bosaso (BSA), Puntland.
The Incident
Images shared with FTL Somalia show a cancellation notification from Air Arabia citing flight G9660’s suspension. While the airline has not publicly issued a blanket statement regarding the Bosaso route, airport sources in Hyderabad allegedly informed passengers that the cancellation was a direct result of the current diplomatic restrictions affecting UAE-registered aircraft in Somali airspace.
Note: While the cancellation of the specific flight is confirmed via passenger alerts, the exact number of stranded passengers and the permanency of the commercial suspension remain not yet 100% verified. FTL Somalia is reaching out to Air Arabia and the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) for official comment.
Context: The Mogadishu-Abu Dhabi Fallout
This disruption comes less than 48 hours after a severe escalation in tensions between the two nations. On January 11, the Somali Cabinet announced a suspension of military and cargo flights operated by the UAE, citing “hostile activities” and violations of sovereignty.
The row was triggered by allegations that UAE aircraft were used to transport Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), through Somali airspace without federal permission.
See Also: Somalia Blocks UAE Military Flights Amid Yemen Controversy
While the initial government directive specifically targeted military and cargo logistics, prompting a reported evacuation of UAE personnel from the Bosaso air base. it appears the fallout is now bleeding into commercial aviation.
Impact on Puntland
The suspension of flights to Bosaso is particularly sensitive. The commercial hub of Puntland relies heavily on connectivity via the UAE for trade and travel. If Air Arabia, a primary carrier for the diaspora, permanently halts operations due to federal airspace bans, it could deepen the political wedge between the FGS and Puntland state authorities, who have maintained close security and economic ties with Abu Dhabi.
See Also: Analysis – The Strategic Importance of Bosaso Port and Airport
What’s Next?
As of Monday evening, no alternative routes have been announced for the stranded passengers in India. This developing story highlights the tangible human cost of the Horn of Africa’s volatile “base politics,” where airspace disputes in Mogadishu can leave citizens stranded in terminals thousands of miles away.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates on SCAA directives and airline schedules.
