Saturday, December 12, 2009

Up in the Air in Somalia

The Egal International Airport at Hargeisa in Somaliland
It has everything - a general waiting lounge, a VIP lounge, check in counters, a cafeteria, fuel depot, security check too!













Refueling over, aircraft checked, checked in baggage being loaded!











Passengers onboard! "Mind your head and keep your feet together", the Captain announces, "we are all set to go!"


Now at the Wajid International Airport ...
In case you missed it, look closely: The famous Tiki Lounge and all the directions for parking and entry - no entry without permission! If it is that lucky hour of the day, you may get a cup of nicely brewed chai in a little glass! 












The road from the UN compound. First round of checking before entering this gate is essential!















The aircraft arrives!













Time for security clearance and to check-in!














Multi-tasking! Refueling, loading and boarding ...


Garowe International Airport
This is the Old One, a new one has been in making ... may be already operating. Immigration used to have a room but the officer was always kind enough to go around collecting visa fee and stamping the passport, taking care not to use the whole page. If you were a frequent flyer to Garowe, you could get a discounted visa fee!









Passengers arriving at the airport and the aircraft coming to a halt ... arrivals are well synchronised!










Security check, ticket check, onboard!















And in the air again!

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Dr Mahesh Sinha's avatar

Dr Mahesh Sinha · 798 weeks ago

really interesting to know how different we human beings are
Dr Mahesh Sinha's avatar

Dr Mahesh Sinha · 798 weeks ago

you have made complicated the system of commenting hav u ever cheked it ur self
Oh yes, this way I get to know as soon as a comment is made and I can track if a discussion follows. Sorry if you find it complicated.
I like this intesedebate commenting widget.

BTW were you on that plane ? :)
It looks like my kind of DIY airport
I'm still fiddling around with these widgets!

I have been on the planes to Somalia and Somaliland, 6-24 seaters that go around like a matatu (maruti van type of public carriages that run like Delhi's Blue/Red line buses) from one stop to another dropping off and picking up people. But cleaner than Air India!! No air control support yet no accidents so far - much better record than our fancy airlines.
Oh that must be lot of fun.
Curious. Do you work for UN?
I have been in one such plane which didnt have any seats during my skydive. We all stood like in a bus. Some even near the door foot boarding.
Not really, espcially when you know there's only so much fuel left and the camels and sheep would not leave the airstrip or when the navigation system fails! But then it is privilege to be able to fly and be safe in places where life is so precarious for the people living there.
to make flying cheap,this kind of airports are a must!
the catttle class's avatar

the catttle class · 798 weeks ago

Food for thought ... but how will our dear friend Shashi Tharoor travel?
Oh !!! How different systems are around the globe !!! Thanks for enlightening me on this simple system - never seen like this one before !!!!

Discount on Visa fee !!!! LOL :) :) :)

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