Ethiopian Airlines partners with South Sudan to launch its long-awaited national airline, strengthening regional connectivity and advancing African aviation goals.
Ethiopian Airlines and the South Sudanese government have solidified a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023 to establish a national airline for South Sudan, aiming to fulfill a long-standing ambition for the East African nation.
Under this partnership, Ethiopian Airlines will assist South Sudan in launching its airline, offering technical expertise, training, and operational management. Part of this collaboration includes overseeing South Sudan’s airspace, which is currently undergoing a transition from Sudanese control.
Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has aspired to create a national airline, though political challenges and conflict have hindered progress. Past efforts saw various initiatives, including South Supreme Airlines, a prominent startup led by entrepreneur Ayii Duang Ayii. Earlier, in 2012, Atlasjet Airlines was selected to partner in launching South Sudan’s airline, but the Turkish carrier exited the project in 2013.
Discussions around a potential Ethiopian Airlines joint venture emerged in 2014 when Ethiopian’s then-CEO proposed a 49% ownership, leaving the South Sudanese government with a 51% stake. By 2019, South Sudan had allocated SSP100 million (USD768,000 at the time) to conduct studies on the proposed airline, tentatively named South Sudan Airways.
Currently, domestic routes in South Sudan are primarily operated by Kush Air, while international connectivity relies on regional carriers like Badr Airlines, Alfa Airlines SD, and several others, along with major players like Uganda Airlines, EgyptAir, and Kenya Airways. Turkish Airlines offers connections beyond the continent, and Ethiopian Airlines holds a dominant 30% share of the weekly seat capacity at Juba Airport.
The establishment of South Sudan’s national airline would bolster Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic expansion in Africa, reinforcing its regional influence. This initiative aligns with Ethiopian’s Vision 2025 plan, which focuses on establishing multiple African hubs to strengthen connectivity to its main hub in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian already maintains successful joint ventures with airlines like ASKY in Togo, Air Congo in DR Congo, and Zambia Airways.
