Somaliland’s Airspace is a Billion-Dollar Asset—Why Are Djibouti, Ethiopia, and China Using It for Free?

[Deeq A.]

Somaliland’s Airspace is a Billion-Dollar Asset—Why Are Djibouti, Ethiopia, and China Using It for Free?

For years, Somaliland’s airspace has been treated as an open highway for foreign aircraft, military operations, and commercial airlines—without a single cent in overflight payments to Hargeisa. Djibouti, Ethiopia, China, and Turkey have exploited Somaliland’s skies while refusing to recognize its sovereignty. It is time for Somaliland to take decisive action and demand rightful compensation.

Djibouti’s Military & Commercial Flights Freely Use Somaliland Airspace

Djibouti, a country heavily reliant on foreign military bases, has been using Somaliland’s airspace without paying overflight fees. The airspace over Yemen remains too dangerous due to the Houthi conflict, and Eritrea’s restricted airspace leaves Djibouti with only one viable route—over Somaliland. Every inbound and outbound flight to Djibouti, whether for commercial, military, or government purposes, crosses Somaliland’s skies.

China, which operates a major military base in Djibouti, uses Somaliland’s airspace to transport military personnel, weapons, and supplies, despite Beijing arming militias in eastern Somaliland and supporting the Somalia federal government against Somaliland’s independence. The same goes for the U.S. military, which also operates a base in Djibouti but has yet to acknowledge Somaliland’s sovereignty.

Ethiopia Profits from Somaliland While Paying Nothing

Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, relies on Somaliland not only for trade but also for its air traffic routes. Nearly all Ethiopian Airlines flights inbound and outbound to Addis Ababa pass through Somaliland airspace. Yet, Ethiopia has never paid a single overflight charge to Somaliland. Worse, Ethiopia benefits from free use of Somaliland’s skies while refusing to recognize its independence. This double standard cannot continue.

Turkish Airlines Profits from Somaliland While Backing Somalia

Turkey’s Turkish Airlines operates flights to Mogadishu using Somaliland airspace. At the same time, Turkey is heavily involved in arming and training Somalia’s military, which remains hostile to Somaliland. Turkish firms are also exploiting marine resources off Somaliland’s coast. If Turkey wants access to Somaliland’s airspace, it must start paying its fair share.

Time for Somaliland to Demand Compensation

Somaliland must enforce overflight charges on all foreign aircraft using its airspace. The Somali federal government has falsely claimed control over Somaliland’s skies, but this must be challenged. If Djibouti, Ethiopia, China, and Turkey continue to use Somaliland’s airspace, they must pay like any other country.

If Somaliland is denied its sovereignty, then its airspace must be closed to those who refuse to recognize it. The days of freeloading are over. It is time for Somaliland to take full control of its airspace and start

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