Ethiopian Airlines Solidifies Plans for South Sudan’s National Carrier

Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa International) and South Sudan have formalized a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a national airline for the country, as announced on November 7 by South Sudan’s Transport Minister Madut Biar and Ethiopian Ambassador Nabil Mahdi.

Under this partnership, Ethiopian Airlines will provide technical support, training, and management expertise to establish the South Sudanese national carrier, along with overseeing the management of South Sudan’s transitioning airspace. The agreement is set to enhance air connectivity, stimulate job creation, and support economic integration in South Sudan.

Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has aimed to develop a national airline, yet previous efforts faced challenges due to political instability. In 2012, Turkish-based Atlasjet was initially chosen to assist in this goal, but the partnership dissolved by early 2013. Ethiopian Airlines first expressed interest in a joint venture in 2014, planning a 49% stake, with South Sudan retaining 51%.

The new collaboration follows Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term Vision 2025 strategy to develop African aviation hubs and expand its presence across the continent. Ethiopian already operates joint ventures with airlines such as ASKY in Togo and Zambia Airways, with plans to develop additional regional partnerships.

Currently, Ethiopian holds a significant market share in Juba, South Sudan, and this new partnership will further establish Ethiopian Airlines as a prominent player in African aviation, helping South Sudan achieve its long-standing aspiration for a national carrier.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com