Airline pilots have been warned about conflicting air traffic control (ATC) instructions from rival controllers when overflying parts of Somalia, in the Horn of Africa.
The New Zealand-based OPSGROUP organization, which monitors potential risks to aircraft operations, says it has received “at least 10 reports of aircraft within the Mogadishu FIR [flight information region] being contacted by a second ‘controller’ on the same frequency, issuing conflicting instructions ... Crews have been issued climb and descent clearances that are not from the sector controller. Incidents have been reported mostly in the northern part of Mogadishu airspace.”
The problem stems from a political dispute between Somalia and Somaliland. The latter area, in the north of Somalia, is a self-declared nation that emerged out of the civil war that has beset Somalia for more than 30 years. Somaliland does not have international recognition.
As of Feb. 12, both countries have claimed authority over the Mogadishu FIR.
The problem affects aircraft flying within about 150 nm of Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.
OPSGROUP says Somaliland “has to date maintained control over its airports, but Somalia controls the upper airspace from Mogadishu.”
The situation has been exacerbated in recent weeks after Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland, with the latter exchanging port rights on its Red Sea coast in return for recognition of their country by Ethiopia.
The move brought an angry response from Somalia, which began restricting movements into Somaliland by denying airspace entry to the Mogadishu FIR in some instances. In retaliation, Somaliland declared its right to exercise control over its airspace.
The conflicting instructions from different controllers—who both claim to be “Mogadishu Control”—present an obvious safety risk to air traffic in the area.
Responding to questions from Aviation Daily, an IATA spokeswoman said the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) had issued a NOTAM with protocols for aircrew to follow if they received conflicting ATC instructions in the area. The SCAA is the recognized authority for air navigation systems in the area, including Somaliland, as the latter is not a recognized entity.
Somaliland has established its own Civil Aviation and Airports Authority (CAAA) and on its website says it is committed to observing multilateral international conventions. As one if its main functions, the Somaliland CAAA says it provides ATC services, flight information services, and aeronautical services.
Pilots are urged to contact Mogadishu Control through additional channels, such as pilot-controller datalink or satcomms, to verify clearances rather than using standard VHF channels.
The IATA spokeswoman added that the SCAA had escalated the problem to the office of the country’s prime minister, to try to solve the issue at a political level.
IATA is working with ICAO’s Contingency Coordination Team—which brings together states and aviation organizations—to try to solve the problem.
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