Written by Piers Evans
Somalilandsun – Somaliland, a self-declared republic in east Africa, has completed a renovation of the runway at Egal International Airport (HGA), which serves its ‘capital’ Hargeisa.
Hargeisa Egal airport has re-opened with a revamped 2.4km runway and expanded terminals.
Ethiopian Airlines will now restart daily flights from Addis Ababa, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation & Air Transport in Somaliland.
For almost a year, all international flights to the autonomous region in Somalia have been through Berbera Airport (BBO).
The revamped Egal airport can now cater for larger aircraft and features improved air control equipment, according to local media reports.
Five wind turbines have also been installed to help power the gateway.
The refurbishment was funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development ($4.4m), the Somaliland government ($1.5m) and USAID ($800,000).
Kuwait Fund has also paid to overhaul Berbera Airport, which is set to open a new terminal on November 15.
In July, Somaliland reached an agreement with Somalia over the control of its airspace, according to a spokesperson for Somaliland’s aviation ministry.
By the end of 2013 the UN is set to relinquish control of Somalia and Somaliland’s airspace.
Both governments will appoint members to a technical committee, based in Hargeisa, to take over administration.
