Director General Mustafa Duhulow launched the initiative during an inspection visit to the domestic departures terminal at Aden Abdulle International Airport. The visit included a closed-door technical briefing from border management officers on system readiness, biometric verification procedures, and frontline staff training completed ahead of implementation.

Early Monday, immigration officers processed the first passengers using the National ID Card under the new framework. According to agency officials, the rollout follows national legal standards governing civil identification and travel documentation. The system digitally verifies identity data to reduce document inconsistencies and strengthen compliance controls at airport checkpoints.

"This reform supports accurate passenger registration and improves coordination across security institutions,” Duhulow said in remarks delivered at the terminal. He instructed staff to ensure smooth service delivery and provide additional guidance to travelers unfamiliar with the updated requirements.

The policy change comes as Somalia expands efforts to formalize civil registration systems and digitize identity management. Authorities say reliable identification is essential for aviation security, data integrity, and tracking lawful movement within national borders. Domestic flights remain a critical transportation link between major cities, including Mogadishu, Hargeisa, and Kismayo, particularly where road travel can be limited by distance or security concerns.

Security experts note that standardized ID verification aligns Somalia more closely with international aviation compliance practices, although the agency has not yet announced whether the requirement will extend to other modes of domestic transport.

Lamaane News Network has learned from senior officials that performance assessments will be conducted in the coming months to evaluate operational efficiency, public response, and any technical adjustments needed as adoption increases.