Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Abdelh
Published on 2024-03-27 21:02:15
Ethiopian Airlines narrowly avoided a potential collision with an Emirates plane over Somalia airspace, according to reports released by the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority. The incident occurred on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at around 12:43 in East Africa, when an Emirates Airways flight (UAE722) and an Ethiopian Airlines flight (ETH 690) were both flying at an altitude of 37,000 feet. The report indicates that the two planes were on a collision course after Mogadishu Control mistakenly directed them to the same location at the same time.
Fortunately, the quick actions of the Somaliland Air Traffic Controllers and the pilot of the Ethiopian Airlines flight averted disaster. The pilot was able to swiftly adjust the altitude of the aircraft to 39,000 feet, preventing the potential collision. The report placed the blame on air traffic controllers in Mogadishu, Somalia, accusing them of making “regular mistakes” that jeopardize the safety of international flights.
The Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority expressed concerns about the lack of competence and professionalism in the Mogadishu Tower, emphasizing that such errors pose a significant threat to aviation safety. The government of Somalia has yet to respond to the allegations made by Somaliland regarding the incident.
Ethiopian Airlines has not provided any comments on the near-collision incident, and attempts to reach them for a statement have been unsuccessful. The tension between Somaliland and Ethiopia and the government of Somalia escalated following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on January 1, 2024. The agreement reportedly involved granting Ethiopia 20 kilometers of coastal land for maritime and military purposes on a fifty-year lease in exchange for shares from Ethiopian Airlines. Additionally, there was a pledge for Ethiopia to recognize Somaliland’s independent statehood.
The safety of international flights is a top priority, and incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of efficient air traffic control systems and protocols. Collaboration and communication between aviation authorities are essential to prevent such near-collision incidents in the future. The aviation community will be closely monitoring developments in this case to ensure that necessary measures are taken to enhance safety and prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Source: Borkena
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