MOGADISHU – A Turkish Airlines manager at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport is facing serious allegations of abusive conduct and discrimination from Somali passengers, according to a recent investigative report by the Somali Guardian. The claims depict a pattern of denied boarding, public humiliation, and arbitrary detention, raising questions about accountability and passenger rights.
The Somali Guardian report, published on November 15, 2025, details multiple accusations against the manager, identified as Turhan. Passengers allege he has used his position to single them out, often after they had cleared all standard security and document checks.
In one cited case, social media activist Abdi Addow and senior official Abdifatah Faisal Hussein were reportedly stopped at the gate. Addow claimed Turhan told them to “return to where you came from.” Another account involves a young Somali traveler from Sweden who was allegedly detained and denied a replacement ticket. A content creator known as “Somali Gamer” also alleged he was physically removed from the aircraft boarding stairs by the manager.
The report suggests a “lack of accountability,” noting there are no clear mechanisms for passengers to file formal complaints and that local authorities have limited power to investigate the conduct of the airline’s staff.
These recent allegations are set against a backdrop of historical friction. In 2015, a Turkish Airlines flight to Mogadishu was diverted to Djibouti due to weather. Some Somali passengers claimed they were stranded for days without proper accommodation, while passengers of other nationalities were provided hotels. A separate incident in December 2021 involved a passenger attacking Turkish Airlines crew after a reported scuffle on a flight.
The consistency of the recent testimonies has drawn attention to a potential power imbalance, where an airline official appears to operate with significant autonomy. The allegations that his actions appear targeted almost exclusively at Somali nationals have raised concerns over racial and ethnic profiling.
The situation presents a significant reputational risk for Turkish Airlines in one of its key markets. Somali activists and social media users have begun calling for a boycott of the carrier until their concerns are addressed.
Verification of all claims remains underway, as limited public documentation, such as court filings, is currently available. Turkish Airlines has not yet issued a public statement specifically addressing the accusations against its manager in Mogadishu. The scale of the problem and the precise legal and regulatory recourse available to affected passengers are also unclear.
The story has gained traction due to increased scrutiny on airline treatment of African passengers and the amplifying power of social media, pushing the issue into the spotlight of corporate governance and human rights in international travel.
