In brief
- Somaliland Sun reported on 2014-03-17 that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and foreign experts conducted a feasibility survey for expanding the runway and building hangars at Burao airport.
- Officials said soil samples would be analysed abroad and donor funding would be sought after the survey report.
- No later evidence confirms whether the survey was completed, the report received, or any construction started.
On 17 March 2014, Somaliland Sun reported that officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, accompanied by foreign experts in aviation engineering, conducted a feasibility survey at Burao airport. The survey was examining expansion of the runway and construction of aircraft hangars.
The publication attributed the work to the airport renovation committee chaired by Sheikh Ali Maulid. According to the committee chairman, airport land occupiers had been evicted and resettled elsewhere with ministry facilitation. Maulid also said the committee and ministry were "in process of constructing a perimeter fence and entrance and exit gates", which he hoped would be completed soon.
The Director General of the civil aviation ministry, Abdi Ali, said compiling the survey report would require collecting soil samples for analysis abroad, measuring the length, width and thickness of the runway tarmac, and estimating construction cost. Ali described the experts conducting the study as engineers with global experience in constructing runways and aircraft hangars. He said that upon receipt of the research report, the ministry would solicit construction funds from donor nations.
Somaliland Sun reported that the feasibility survey was expected to conclude "in the soonest time possible" to allow soil samples to be taken abroad for laboratory analysis. The report bylined Osman A.M., from Burao, did not state when the survey had begun, which foreign experts were involved, or any cost or funding figures.
The 2014 report does not establish what has happened at Burao airport since. No source in the available record confirms whether the feasibility survey was completed, whether the research report was received, whether donor funds were ever solicited or secured, or whether any runway expansion or hangar construction began. The perimeter fence and gates were described only as "in process" with no contract, budget or completion date. No later ministry statement on Burao airport is available to update the status.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Burao airport feasibility study entail?
The study covers runway expansion, construction of aircraft hangars, soil sampling for abroad analysis, measurement of runway tarmac length, width and thickness, and estimation of construction cost.
What are the proposed upgrades for Burao Airport?
Proposed upgrades include expansion of the runway, construction of aircraft hangars, a perimeter fence and entrance and exit gates.
What are the next steps following the study?
After the survey report is received, the ministry intends to solicit construction funds from donor nations.