Crisis in Somali Airspace Raises Alarming Safety Concerns
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Sunday February 25, 2024 - 20:58:17 in Latest News by Horn Observer Contributor
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MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - Tensions between Somalia and Somaliland have escalated, putting air traffic control management at risk and heightening the potential for a dangerous collision.
The dispute revolves around control of the airspace, with both sides blaming each other for conflicting instructions issued via VHF radio communication.
The gravity of the situation was underscored on Saturday, February 24th, when Qatar Airways Flight 6U and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 602 narrowly avoided a collision over East Africa.
A miscommunication from Mogadishu-based air traffic controllers directed Qatar Airways to ascend to 40,000 feet, bringing it perilously close to Ethiopian Airlines Flight 602 cruising at 39,000 feet along the same route.
The near-miss incident highlights the critical importance of air traffic control and the inherent risks within the region's airspace. The swift diversion of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 602 to Djibouti underscores the severity of the situation.
This incident sheds light on broader issues within the region's airspace management, with concerns raised by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of the Federal Government of Somalia regarding disruptions to established flight paths in Somaliland. The lack of coordination and communication protocols within air traffic control systems exacerbates the risks, posing significant dangers to air traffic in the region.
The accusation against Somaliland by the Civil Aviation Authority for contributing to these risks emphasizes the urgent need for improved communication and protocols to ensure the safety of air travel in the region.
Somalian CAA are investigating a near collision between an Ethiopian A350 and a Qatar Airways 787 while flying over the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, after ATC wrongly told one aircraft to climb to 40,000 feet. pic.twitter.com/H8U1nXlVNB
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) February 25, 2024
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Crisis in Somali Airspace Raises Alarming Safety Concerns
MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - Tensions between Somalia and Somaliland have escalated, putting air traffic control management at risk and heightening the potential for a dangerous collision.