MOGADISHU, Somalia — An aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines suffered damage to one of its wings during a runway incident Tuesday afternoon at Aden Adde International Airport in the Somali capital, according to aviation officials.
Video circulating on social media and obtained by Arlaadi Media Network shows visible damage to a wing of the aircraft after what authorities described as a bird strike during takeoff. Footage filmed from inside the plane captures tense moments as shaken passengers react while the aircraft remains stationary on the tarmac.
Somalia’s State Minister for Civil Aviation, Abdikariim Abdoow Haydar, told Arlaadi Media Network by phone that the plane experienced a bird strike while departing Mogadishu en route to Addis Ababa.
“There were no injuries, and the incident was minor,” the minister said, adding that the situation is being reviewed in line with standard aviation safety procedures.
Aviation sources also confirmed that a safety team was deployed to the scene to assess the aircraft and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Airport operations at Aden Adde International Airport were temporarily halted following the incident but later resumed, officials said.
It was not immediately clear how long the aircraft remained grounded or whether the flight was rescheduled. Ethiopian Airlines has not yet publicly commented on the incident.
Bird strikes, while relatively common in aviation, can pose risks during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. Aviation authorities typically conduct inspections before aircraft are cleared to return to service.
Aden Adde International Airport is Somalia’s main aviation gateway and serves both domestic and international routes, including regular flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines between Mogadishu and regional destinations.
