Somalia has restored its IATA Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) after a 33-year suspension, marking a key development in the countrys aviation sector.
The BSP, a global system managed by the International Air Transport Association, simplifies financial transactions between IATA-accredited passenger sales agents and airlines. It acts as an intermediary for managing money and data flows, consolidating ticket sales into billing reports for efficient settlement, typically within two to four weeks via cash workflows.
Somalias aviation minister noted that IATA is preparing to reinstate the countrys BSP code, a critical step for reintegrating into the international aviation network. Without it, tracking ticket sales has been challenging for airlines and agents.
This restoration supports broader aviation recovery efforts, including plans for Somali Airlines to resume flights before the end of 2025. Four new international carriers will join the eight currently serving Mogadishu, such as Turkish Airlines. Additional upgrades involve digital systems like e-Visa and security enhancements at Aden Adde International Airport.