By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Government of South Sudan and Ethiopian Airlines have agreed to establish, manage, and operate the South Sudan National Carrier.
The decision was formalized in a meeting over the week between South Sudan Minister of Transports Madut Biar and the Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan in Juba Nebil Mahdi.
In the course of managing South Sudan Airlines, the Ethiopian airline is expected to provide training for South Sudanese personnel, ensuring a sustainable path forward for the new airline.
Under the 2023, Memorandum of Understanding agreed by the parties, the cooperation aims to bring a new look to South Sudan’s aviation industry.
During the meeting, the two leaders also reviewed the progress of the LAPSSET Project which is aimed at providing transport and logistical infrastructure within two countries and enhancing connectivity.
The Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan stated that Ethiopian Airlines is ready and willing to apply its vast operational experience and contribute to the development of the South Sudan aviation industry by enhancing regional air connectivity and strengthening bilateral relations between Ethiopia-South Sudan and beyond.
Madut Biar Yel expressed appreciation for Ethiopian Airlines Group’s contributions to regional air connectivity and emphasized the significance of experience sharing from Ethiopia’s aviation sector experience.
In 2019, the South Sudanese parliament greenlit the concept of South Sudan Airways, yet challenges persisted. Ethiopian Airlines’ involvement will now bring essential technical and managerial resources to South Sudan’s airspace operations, which are currently transitioning from Sudanese control.
Under the LAPSSET Project, the two leaders promised to work jointing by implementing road projects and improving water transport systems from the Ethiopian Border of Gambella to Akobo in South Sudan as well as from Juba-Nasir-Jikawo-Gambella for easy movement of goods and services.