Dubai’s SKA signs deal to manage Mogadishu airport

Dubai-based SKA Air & Logistics is to take over the management of Somalia’s Mogadishu international airport, a source at the company said on Tuesday.

The ten-year contract is understood to include management of the terminals, screening and passenger security.

“We have not formally taken over at this stage but in few weeks’ time we will be taking over management of the airport,” an unnamed company manager told AFP.

SKA Air & Logistics, which has offices in Dubai, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, was approached by the Somali government to bid for the contract.  The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Operating in Somalia is “challenging for the time being but as we go along hopefully things will improve,” the source said.

The logistics firm is also understood to be in the running for a contract to manage Mogadishu sea port.

The airport, known as Aden Adde airport after a previous Somali president, operates flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Djibouti and the Somali cities of Berbera, Galcaio and Hargeisa.

SKA Air & Logistics was not immediately available for comment.