In a significant advancement for national and international air safety, Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has officially ratified seven foundational global aviation security (AVSEC) conventions. This transformative step arms the country with stronger legal mechanisms to combat aircraft hijackings, airport attacks, and other unlawful acts against civil aviation. The development, achieved with strong support from the U.S. Embassy in Somalia, is being hailed as a milestone in Somalia’s post-conflict recovery and international reintegration.
The seven ratified treaties form the backbone of international aviation security law.
First is the 1963 Tokyo Convention, which grants states the legal authority to handle crimes and acts committed on board aircraft in flight, particularly those that threaten order and discipline. It empowers aircraft commanders and national authorities to take decisive action against disruptive passengers and criminal behavior mid-air.
Second is the 1970 Hague Convention, a cornerstone in the global fight against aircraft hijacking. It obliges states to prosecute or extradite anyone who unlawfully seizes or attempts to seize an aircraft by force or threat.
Third is the 1971 Montreal Convention, which expands protection to cover acts of sabotage against aircraft and airports, including placing bombs or destroying aircraft in service. It criminalizes a wide range of threats to aviation beyond hijacking.
The fourth, the 1988 Montreal Protocol, supplements the 1971 Montreal Convention by addressing attacks at airports serving international civil aviation, making violent acts at terminals and runways punishable under international law.
Fifth is the 2010 Beijing Convention, a modern treaty introduced to address emerging threats, including the use of civil aircraft as weapons, cyberattacks on flight systems, and the unlawful transport of biological, chemical, or nuclear materials on board.
Sixth is the 2010 Beijing Protocol, which amends the earlier Hague Convention to criminalize newer forms of hijacking and acts that assist or conspire in such crimes, reflecting the evolving tactics of aviation-related terrorism.
Finally, the 2014 Montreal Protocol Amending the Tokyo Convention introduces new provisions to address offenses committed on international flights. It improves jurisdictional clarity by allowing the state where the aircraft lands to prosecute crimes committed in flight, even if the flight is operated by a foreign airline. This closes a long-standing legal gap that often let in-flight offenses go unpunished due to jurisdictional challenges.
By adopting this comprehensive legal suite, Somalia significantly upgrades its ability to investigate, prosecute, and deter aviation-related crimes. These conventions also deepen its alignment with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, bolstering global cooperation and trust in Somali airspace.
Officials say the ratifications are not only a victory for security but also for Somalia’s economic future, laying the foundation for increased airline traffic, tourism, and foreign investment in the aviation sector.
“This is a major leap toward safer skies and a safer region,” said a spokesperson for the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, emphasizing continued reforms and partnerships to modernize the country’s aviation infrastructure and governance.