Israeli airline Arkia says it has not received a renewal of its permit to fly over Somalia airspace, which runs out at the end of January, and it could therefore be forced to change its flight route to Thailand.
“As part of international aviation procedures, airlines submit periodic requests for air transit permits on various routes,” Arkia says in a statement. “As of now, Arkia has not yet received the renewal of the periodic permit for air transit over Somalia for February.”
“If approval is not received by the beginning of February, the company will operate flights on an alternative route, without any change to flight times and without harming passengers,” the carrier says.
The move comes amid fierce opposition and large protests across Somalia against Israel’s recent recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Arkia says that the issue is being handled by Israeli authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
According to the Ynet news site, El Al’s permit renewal is not until March.
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