Somaliland's Civil Aviation and Airports Development Ministry has barred airlines from accepting tickets issued through Somalia's recently restored International Air Transport Association (IATA) Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) for departures from the self-declared independent territory, including tickets purchased before the restriction took effect.

In an October 25, 2026, statement, the ministry said tickets issued through Somalia's BSP – restored recently after a 35-year hiatus – would not be accepted for departures from Berbera and Hargeisa, regardless of their date of issue. The restriction also covers previously issued tickets, including return tickets.

The directive requires airlines to use only ticketing channels and travel agents licensed by Somaliland's Department of Civil Aviation Regulation and Air Transport.

The move adds a new dimension to the long-running dispute between Somaliland and Somalia over sovereignty and aviation administration. Somaliland has governed itself since 1991 but is claimed by Somalia, whose federal government is based in Mogadishu.

In November 2025, internationally unrecognised Somaliland announced it does not accept visas issued by Somalia, issuing its own visas on arrival at Hargeisa and Berbera. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but Somalia insists the territory is part of its sovereign state.

According to ch-aviation data, airlines serving Somaliland include Ethiopian Airlines, flydubai, Daallo Airlines (Somalia), Jubba Airways (Kenya), Premier Airlines, Air Djibouti, and Blue Sky Airlines (Somalia).

Somalia restores BSP

The directive follows Somalia's relaunch of its BSP, announced by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on October 25, reported Somalia Today. Barre said institutional reforms, legislative and policy work, and staff training had paved the way for the system's return.

The restoration will enable local travel agencies to transact directly with international airlines, streamline ticket-sales reporting and payments, and reduce reliance on settlement systems in other countries.

Somali Civil Aviation Authority Director-General Ahmed Hassan said it would support trade and tourism and strengthen cooperation with international airlines.

IATA announced a BSP pilot in Somalia on April 30, 2026, involving four travel agents and several airlines serving the country, including Ethiopian Airlines. The association initially planned to open the system to all airlines and more than 300 travel agents by the end of May 2026.

BSP centralises ticket-sales reporting and the settlement of funds between IATA-accredited travel agents and participating airlines.