In brief
- On 23 September 2020, Horn Diplomat reported that work at Berbera International Airport in Somaliland was almost complete, citing airport Director-General Dritan Gjonbalaj.
- At that time, certification audits by Somaliland national aviation authorities and an independent international team were still to be undergone, and no completion date was given.
- The report does not establish the airport's status after 23 September 2020.
On 23 September 2020, Horn Diplomat reported that work at Berbera International Airport in Somaliland was "almost complete," attributing the statement to Dritan Gjonbalaj, whom it identified as the airport's Director-General. The report said a dedicated team was "putting the finishing touches to the few remaining works" ahead of certification audits, but it did not say when those audits would take place or when the airport would open.
The report described certification audits by Somaliland national aviation authorities and a comprehensive audit by an independent international team of aviation experts as still to be undergone. Compliance was to be confirmed against relevant Annexes to the Chicago Convention on aviation safety and security. The report did not state that any audit had been completed or that the airport had received certification.
The report placed the airport on the coast, close to the Berbera Seaport built by Dubai Ports (DP) World, and said a four-lane highway to Hargeisa was taking shape. It also said the airport was initially built by the Soviet Union in the 1970s with a 4 km runway, one of the longest in Africa, and that Nasa rented it in the 1980s as an emergency landing site for the Space Shuttle until 1991. These details were reported by Horn Diplomat and are not independently verified.
The report gave no project value, contract value, contractor, consultant, funder, or financing details. It described "serious investment" in infrastructure and equipment but did not quantify the amount. It also mentioned a planned multi-million Berbera Economic Free Zone without specifying an amount, currency, or funder.
Somaliland declared separation from Somalia in 1991 and remains unrecognized internationally, according to the report. The report named Busiweek as its source. The document as served displays a 2026 date, not the 2020 publication date.
There is no update on the airport's status after 23 September 2020 in the supplied evidence. The report does not establish that the airport has been completed, certified, or opened as of that date or later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the actual completion percentage of the airport?
The report does not state a completion percentage. It says work is "almost complete" and that finishing touches are being applied to remaining works.
Who is the contractor responsible for the works?
The report does not name a contractor.
What are the remaining tasks before the airport becomes operational?
According to the report, certification audits by Somaliland national aviation authorities and an independent international team of aviation experts were still to be undergone. Compliance with relevant Annexes to the Chicago Convention was to be confirmed.