Old Jijiga Airport

Replacement and obsolescence. The old airport was closed because it was replaced by the new, modern Jijiga Garad Wilwal Airport. The old facility had several limitations: it was located in the center of the rapidly expanding city, its runway was short (approximately 1,700 meters) and unpaved, and it could not accommodate larger, modern jet aircraft. The construction of the new airport was part of a national infrastructure upgrade program to enhance safety, increase capacity, and support economic growth in the Somali Region.

The site of the former airport has been completely repurposed as a military installation. It currently serves as a major base for the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), reportedly housing elements of its Eastern Command. Satellite imagery clearly shows that the former runway and airport grounds are now covered with military barracks, administrative buildings, vehicle depots, and training areas. While the faint outline of the runway is still discernible, it is no longer functional for any aviation purposes.

The Old Jijiga Airport was a site of significant strategic and military importance. Its ICAO code was likely HAJJ before this was transferred to the new airport.

- **Military Significance:** Due to Jijiga's strategic location near the border with Somalia, the airport was a critical military airbase. It played a pivotal role during the Ogaden War (1977-1978), serving as a key logistical hub for troop transport, supply drops, and air combat operations for both Ethiopian and Somali forces during different phases of the conflict.

- **Civil and Humanitarian Operations:** When active, the airport handled domestic flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines, primarily using turboprop aircraft like the Fokker 50 and DHC-6 Twin Otter. It was also an essential base for humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies conducting relief operations in the historically volatile Somali Region.

There are no prospects for reopening this airport. The land has been fully redeveloped for military use and is now surrounded by urban development. Furthermore, the city of Jijiga is now served by the far superior Jijiga Garad Wilwal Airport, which meets all current and foreseeable aviation requirements for the region. The old site is permanently closed to air traffic.