The South Sudan Gov’t is considering upgrading Juba International Airport.

The government is contemplating expanding Juba International Airport airport terminals to accommodate local and international aircraft.

Madut Biar, Minister of Transport, informed the President of the transportation sector’s challenges and the mechanism for strengthening the government’s authority over the country’s airspace.

“The conference concentrated on administrative concerns linked to the airport administration, as well as the ministry’s plans to construct control stations in Wau and Malakal, as well as radars in Rajaf, Malakal, Bor, and Kapeota,” according to the statement.

“The ministry intends to expand airport terminals into domestic and international terminals to generate sufficient space in the airport,” it said.

Minister Biar introduced his new plan during his meeting with President Salva Kiir last Friday.

According to him, the new project would comprise the construction of the Juba Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) and center, a new Air Traffic Control Tower, and an operating facility.

Surveillance systems, navigation systems, communication systems, and civil engineering equipment such as meteorological facilities are also included.

Minister Biar told the state-owned broadcaster SSBC that the summit also addressed improving river and railway lines to improve mobility in the nation.

Biar has asked the Ministry of Finance to grant funds to complete the remaining phases.

South Sudan and aviation solution vendor NavPass struck an agreement in April 2021 to assert sovereignty over its airspace and collect overflight fees.

The deal paves the path for South Sudan to collect airplane fees and raise non-oil income.

This conforms to the most recent International Civil Aviation Organization safety rules, regulatory legislation, and best practices.

Rombe, Stephen According to Tako Lojulo, Director General-Air Navigation Service at SSCAA, despite having complete control over its lower airspace, South Sudan often loses out on potential income due to a lack of authority over its higher airspace.

“Imagine $3 million each month, and [particularly] during COVID-19, that is a very large sum of money that might have been utilized to install the country’s airport equipment, but Khartoum is the one devouring it,” Director Tako complained.

According to him, Sudan’s airspace is smaller than South Sudan’s; hence most flights choose to use South Sudan’s airspace. “I believe that is one of the reasons Sudan (Khartoum) does not want to hand up control of the airspace to South Sudan,” he said.