Airlines

Discover the Storied History of Daallo Airlines: The Oldest Operating Airline in the Horn of Africa





Daallo Airlines is a Somali-owned airline based in Djibouti and is the oldest operating airline in the Horn of Africa. The airline operates scheduled services to many destinations in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as regional charter services. Founded in 1991, Daallo Airlines has a long and storied history that has shaped the airline into what it is today.

The airline was founded by Somali businessman Mohammed Abdi, who wanted to create a reliable and efficient way to transport passengers, goods, and mail between Somalia and Djibouti. Initially, the airline only operated domestic flights within Somalia, but it soon expanded to include international destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.

The Daallo Airlines fleet has grown significantly over the years, and today the airline operates a fleet of Airbus A320, Boeing 737-400, and ATR 42-300 aircraft. The airline also operates an extensive network of charter services, connecting the Horn of Africa region to many cities around the world. In addition, the airline operates several cargo services, and it has become one of the largest cargo carriers in the region.

Daallo Airlines has experienced a number of important milestones over the years. In 1998, the airline inaugurated its first international route, flying from Djibouti to Dubai. A year later, it launched its first long-haul flight to London. In 2002, the airline became the first carrier in the region to become IATA-certified, and in 2004, the airline launched its first regional route to Nairobi.





In 2010, the airline inaugurated its first intercontinental route, flying from Djibouti to Toronto, Canada. This route was intended to facilitate the travel needs of the Somali diaspora in North America, and it was a major milestone for the airline. In 2014, the airline launched its first direct flight from Mogadishu to Djibouti, connecting the two cities for the first time in more than two decades.

While Daallo Airlines has experienced many successes, it has also experienced several incidents. In 2016, one of the airline’s Airbus A321s was involved in an explosion shortly after takeoff from Mogadishu International Airport. The aircraft was able to make an emergency landing, and no one was seriously injured. The cause of the explosion was determined to be a bomb on board the aircraft.

In 2017, the airline was the subject of a federal investigation by the United States Department of Transportation. The investigation was launched after reports of poor maintenance practices, and the airline was eventually fined $120,000 for violations of federal aviation regulations. The airline has since taken steps to ensure compliance with all safety regulations.

Daallo Airlines has come a long way since its founding in 1991. The airline has grown significantly, and it now operates a fleet of modern aircraft, connecting passengers and cargo to many destinations around the world. The airline has experienced its share of successes and failures, but it has remained resilient and continues to serve the Horn of Africa region.