Mogadishu, Somalia — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre held high-level talks on Saturday with Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktaş and executives from Favori LLC, the Turkish company managing Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, to discuss plans for a comprehensive modernization of the country’s busiest air hub.
The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s office, comes at a time when public dissatisfaction with the airport’s services, infrastructure, and management has grown increasingly vocal. Travelers and business leaders have raised concerns about congestion, outdated facilities, and inefficiencies that they say do not reflect the image of a capital city that is fast re-emerging from decades of conflict.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Barre commended Favori LLC for its ongoing role in improving airport operations and thanked Türkiye for its “continued support to Somalia’s development journey.” The Prime Minister emphasized that modernizing Aden Adde International Airport was not merely a matter of convenience, but a national priority tied to Somalia’s economic recovery, tourism, and international connectivity.
Ambassador Aktaş reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Somalia, particularly in infrastructure, transportation, and aviation. He said the collaboration between Favori LLC and Somali authorities demonstrates how long-standing bilateral ties can translate into tangible benefits for Somali citizens.
Favori LLC executives presented plans aimed at expanding passenger capacity, upgrading runways, and enhancing safety systems to align the airport with international standards. The project is also expected to create jobs for Somali professionals and technicians as part of a wider effort to localize the aviation workforce.
The meeting marks one of several high-profile engagements between Somali and Turkish officials this year, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between the two nations. Since Türkiye first began managing the airport in 2013, it has played a pivotal role in rehabilitating key infrastructure, training Somali staff, and attracting international carriers back to Mogadishu.
As discussions continue, many Somalis are hopeful that the proposed modernization plan will address long-standing issues and transform Aden Adde International Airport into a modern gateway worthy of the country’s resilience and renewal.