Ethiopia partners with South Sudan to establish flag-carrier, control airspace

November 9, 2024 in Companies, Foreign News, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Ethiopia and South Sudan have inked an agreement under which Addis Ababa will play a prominent role in shaping South Sudan’s aviation sector as the country moves to assume control of its airspace, and establish national airline.

South Sudan media report that the officials from the two countries met Thursday November 7, to dust off a 2023 MoU, under which Addis was retained to help Juba establish a flag carrier and also support the management of the country’s airspace after control reverts from Sudan.

The Juba based Eye Radio reported that support would revolve around the provision of skilled manpower to manage the planning and management of both the proposed airline as well as the airspace. Ethiopia last June helped to draft the revised BASA that governs air services between the two countries adopted.

Quoting Mr Madut Biar, South Sudan’s minister for transport, Eye Radio reported that it had been agreed that Ethiopia would provide technical support and key human resources, to help South Sudan manage both the airspace and flag carrier.

No timelines or detailed plans were revealed, but following the meeting with Ambassador Nabil Mahdi, Ethiopia’s envoy to Juba, Madut said, “We will enter a partnership for management and training when we establish our airline.”

He added that they had also discussed how Ethiopia would support South Sudan to manage its airspace after control reverts from Khartoum.

South Sudan has in recent years rehabilitated its aviation infrastructure, including the resurfacing of the tarmac and installation of a new control tower at Juba International Airport.

“Our discussion was based on key issues including the operationalisation of the MoU that was signed by the aviation authorities of the two countries last year,” Ambassador Nabil told local media in Juba.

“We are committed to expediting the operationalisation of the agreement and sharing of the Ethiopian Airlines experience,” he added.

Ethiopian Airlines currently operates 14 out of the 67 scheduled weekly departures out of Juba International Airport.