(Posted 01st May 2026)
IATA has launched a pilot of its Billing & Settlement Plan (BSP) in Somalia, paving the way for a full launch of the service at the end of May 2026.
The launch of the BSP supports the Somali government’s ambition to grow its aviation sector and expand global connectivity. With a global diaspora and growing trade links across Africa and the Middle East, demand for air travel has surged.
Four travel agents and several airlines serving the country, including Ethiopian Airlines, will participate in the pilot. This will enable the BSP to open to all airlines and more than 300 travel agents operating in the country in May 2026.
Simplifying financial transactions
The BSP is a worldwide system designed to facilitate and simplify financial transactions between IATA-accredited passenger sales agents and airlines. It tracks and manages sales of air tickets and associated financial transactions between more than 400 airlines and tens of thousands of agents globally. Access to a BSP offers airlines a significant advantage, enabling cost-effective sales management, streamlined cash flow, and strengthened financial controls in compliance with established resolutions and local financial criteria.
In 2025, the BSP processed more than 700 million transactions across more than 180 countries globally, totaling USD 242 billion.
Pivotal moment
“Somalia stands at a pivotal moment of transformation in its aviation sector. Growing connectivity regionally and globally underpins our ambition to revitalize the economy of Somalia and position Mogadishu as a transport hub on the Horn of Africa. Despite decades of adversity, the federal government has made commendable strides in rebuilding and modernizing every aspect of its civil aviation system. This extends to putting in place financial systems to support the growth of air transport, which the opening of the BSP will provide,” said Mohamed Farah Nuh, Somalia’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.
“We commend the steps taken by the Somali government to modernize and rebuild its aviation infrastructure. The government recognizes the significant economic benefits that air travel can deliver, and we are pleased to support them on that journey. Accelerating the implementation of secure, effective, and cost-efficient financial services is a key pillar of IATA’s Focus Africa initiative,” added Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.
