Mogadishu, Somalia — Travelers arriving at and departing from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport faced major disruptions on Tuesday after a sudden strike by ground staff brought airport operations to a standstill. Luggage handlers, check-in personnel, and other essential staff walked off the job in protest against what they described as the unfair dismissal of several colleagues and poor treatment by Favori Company, the private operator managing the airport.
Passengers reported long delays, with some flights postponed or canceled entirely. Terminal areas became crowded as travelers scrambled for information, while airlines struggled to coordinate departures and arrivals amid the sudden staffing shortages. Security and safety services were reportedly stretched thin, though no accidents have been reported.
The strike has highlighted long-standing grievances among airport staff, including claims of low wages, arbitrary disciplinary actions, and lack of clear communication from management. Workers emphasized that the dismissals were not justified and accused Favori Company of failing to address complaints in a transparent manner.
Airport authorities have yet to release an official statement, but some airline operators said they are working to minimize the disruption and rebook affected passengers where possible. Local media coverage suggests that negotiations between the striking workers and the company are ongoing, with both sides under pressure to resolve the standoff quickly, as the airport serves as the nation’s main gateway for both international and domestic travel.
For travelers, the incident underscores the fragility of Somalia’s transport infrastructure, where private operators and labor disputes can quickly ripple into nationwide travel delays. The outcome of the talks will likely set a precedent for how labor grievances are handled in the country’s critical transport sector.