Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Somalia has taken another step toward rebuilding its aviation capacity as its ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community, Ilyas Ali Hassan, on Monday presided over the opening of a high-level Air Traffic Control training program in Dar es Salaam.
The program, hosted by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), will provide professional training to 25 staff members from the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), marking a significant milestone in Somalia’s efforts to modernize its airspace management following years of reform and international cooperation.
Ambassador Hassan, speaking at the launch ceremony alongside TCAA Director Salim Msange, expressed deep gratitude to the Tanzanian government for its continued support to Somalia’s institutional revival. He urged the trainees to stay disciplined, focused, and committed throughout the course, emphasizing that the skills they acquire will directly impact the safety and efficiency of Somalia’s increasingly busy airspace.
“This is not just another training. It is an investment in Somalia’s future. Your performance here will determine how confidently we manage our skies, how safely our flights operate, and how trusted we become as an aviation hub in the region,” he told the participants.
The partnership between Somalia and Tanzania in aviation development has strengthened over recent years as Somalia regains full control of its airspace and works to align with international safety standards. The latest cohort of air traffic control trainees represents one of the largest groups sent abroad for technical aviation education in recent times.
Msange reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to supporting fellow African states in capacity building, noting that regional cooperation is essential for safer skies across the continent.
The training is expected to cover core modules ranging from radar procedures and communication protocols to emergency handling and modern navigation systems. Once completed, the graduates will return to man key control centers in Mogadishu and other airports across the country.
For Somalia, where domestic and international flights have significantly increased over the past five years, the need for qualified air traffic controllers has become urgent. Officials hope that by training new personnel in reputable regional institutions, the country will not only enhance safety standards but also pave the way for future aviation expansion and investment.
As the trainees settled into their first sessions, Ambassador Hassan reminded them that they were not just students—but ambassadors of Somalia’s resilience.