Every dawn in Mogadishu, as the first rays of sunlight cut across the runway at Aden Abdulle International Airport, Captain Yasmin walks across the tarmac in her crisp uniform, headset in hand.
Sliding into the left-hand seat of the cockpit, she powers up the flight deck, scanning the Primary Flight Display, checking engine gauges, and running through the pre-flight checklist with the ease of a veteran aviator.
Outside, ground crew load baggage and secure the aircraft doors. Inside, Yasmin ensures every system is in perfect condition before giving the all-clear. It’s a ritual of discipline and precision that marks the start of another day carrying passengers to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
For the past seven years, this rhythm of early take-offs, mid-altitude cruising, and smooth landings has been her life.
At 35,000 feet, she commands not just a jet but also the weight of history. Each time she lifts her aircraft off Somali soil, Yasmin is breaking barriers.
Generations of Somali girls grew up hearing only of Asli Hassan Abade, the legendary pioneering female pilot who flew in the 1970s and 1980s.
Now, with steady hands on the yoke and eyes fixed on the horizon, Captain Yasmin is writing her own chapter, which transforms aspiration into reality and proves Somalia’s skies are no longer reserved for men.
'Pilot of the Year’
In May 2022, during a ceremony at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, Yasmin was officially commissioned as Somalia’s newest female captain, the first in 35 years.
Since then, Yasmin has logged countless hours in the air, navigating Somali airspace with skills and composure.
She operates routes connecting Kenya and Somalia, along with domestic flights across Somalia.
After decades without a woman in the cockpit, Yasmin’s rise represents a generational breakthrough.
Born in Kenya’s Wajir County, a community deeply tied to Somali heritage, Yasmin’s rise to the skies over Mogadishu and beyond is nothing short of extraordinary.
Yasmin currently flies in Somalia with Maandeeq Air. The 27-year-old is more than a pilot, she is a trailblazer who carries the weight of history every time she takes the captain’s seat.
“This is a testament for Somali women everywhere,” she said after receiving her award as Somalia’s Pilot of the Year 2025 in Mogadishu recently.
“It proves that women belong in the captain’s seat. Every time I take the controls of an aircraft, I carry more than passengers, I carry the hopes of young girls who dare to dream.”
Breaking barriers
The path was not without turbulence. Like many women pursuing careers in aviation, Yasmin faced skepticism and resistance. Some had openly questioned whether women could safely fly commercial aircraft. Yet, through persistence, training, and sheer determination, she shattered those doubts.
Under the mentorship of aviation veteran Osman Abass Amin at Maandeeq Air, Yasmin completed her studies and gained the confidence to not only co-pilot but to lead.
“Her dream, since childhood, has always been to be a pilot. She was very hardworking and dedicated. As a family, we are indeed happy for her sacrifice and passion which make us proud of her success. And we always pray for her,’’ her elder sister, Hamdi Abdi, tells TRT Afrika.
For the second year in a row, Captain Yasmin Abdi Farah had been named Somali Pilot of the Year. As her name echoed across the stage, the moment symbolised more than personal triumph.
It was a resounding statement about resilience, hope, and possibility-proof that Somalia’s skies are no longer a space reserved for men.
Her achievements have not gone unnoticed. Maandeeq Air, a Somalia-based airline, proudly celebrated her award.
Founder and CEO Shueib Ali Warsame described her as “a shining example of excellence in Somali aviation,” praising her ability to inspire confidence both in the industry and among passengers. “Well done once again, Captain,” the airline announced publicly.
For her parents, Yasmin has been a true daughter.
‘‘Yasmin has been a blessing to our family from the start. From a young age, she was a leader in her class and dominated academically. She has always been a hard worker and a valuable support to our family and colleagues. She's a miracle, a true gift, and a peaceful and humble soul, who never gets angry. As her parents, we've prayed for her and the entire family,’’ her mother Mama Habiba Bulle tells TRT Afrika.
’’Watching her pursue her dream of becoming a pilot has been one of our greatest joys. She always dreamed of flying, and her siblings were right there with us, supporting her all the way. We believe in the importance of struggling and sacrificing for the dreams of our children. To help Yasmin reach her goals, we sold our livestock and even our family farm. It was a small price to pay to see her soar,’’ Habiba Bulle adds.
Role model
For many, Yasmin embodies Somalia’s broader story of resilience and recovery. The country’s aviation sector, once decimated by conflict, has seen remarkable growth in recent years. Reforms, technological upgrades, and the return of skilled personnel have transformed air travel into a symbol of national progress.
Within that transformation, Yasmin’s story shines even brighter: not only has Somalia rebuilt its skies, but it has also reclaimed the possibility of women leading them.
’’Today, she continues to inspire her younger siblings to follow their own paths and pursue their passions. Yasmin is a kind, generous, and obedient daughter, and we couldn't be prouder. I hope our story encourages every mother and parent to support their children's dreams, no matter the sacrifice,’’ Yasmin’s mother says.
The recognition Yasmin has received—Pilot of the Year 2024 at the SomTex Industry Awards, and now Pilot of the Year 2025 at the Somali Travel & Tourism Expo—cements her legacy as more than a professional accolade.
To young Somali girls watching her climb into the cockpit, Yasmin offers this message: “To every Somali girl dreaming of becoming a pilot, it is possible.”
Yasmin’s story is about rewriting what is possible for Somali women in aviation, and by extension, in every other field where they have been told to remain passengers rather than pilots.
In the vast Somali skies, filled with both the memories of hardship and the promise of renewal, Captain Yasmin Abdi Farah’s journey is a reminder: hope, courage, and resilience can lift a nation higher than its tallest clouds.
