Jenifer James
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The minister of transport, Madut Biar, suspended four aviation companies and airlines from operating in South Sudan over forged registration documents.
The order followed a resolution by the cabinet that directed the minister to screen all the aviation companies operating in the country.
According to the order by Mr. Madut, the aviation companies suspended had forged the EY country registration of the Republic of Tajikistan’s aircraft.
“Other aircraft that belong to the mentioned companies are allowed to operate, and their suspension shall come into force on Tuesday,” Madut said.
However, Madut said the passengers who might have booked in advance with these companies are allowed to travel to their respective places.
He directed the South Sudan Aviation Authority and all the state airports to execute the orders without fail.
Last month, Government Spokesperson Michael Makuei said the cabinet had directed the minister of transport to weed out all the planes that lacked the airworthiness to fly South Sudan’s airspace.
Makuei said the cabinet observed that most of the planes operating in South Sudan are outdated and lack the requisite safety features that would make them airworthy.
“If the planes are approved to operate, the company must have operation licences and insurance, and in the event of an aircraft accident, the company will be held accountable,” he added.
Makuei said the cabinet had directed Madut to work with international organisations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is responsible for air safety measures, to ensure that all the planes plying the various routes are safe.
“The minister of transport must check it and it must be airworthy for the safety of the people,” Makuei said.
He said one of the local airlines that has had incidents involving plane crashes was also found to be using forged documents and had given a clear example of how the sector is rotten.
The suspended companies include Allied Service with the registrations EY-334, An 74, Eagle Enterprise EY 433, L410, and EY-627, and B727-200; Icon Aviation EY448, L410, and EY 724, B722-300; and Fly African Aviation with the aircraft registrations EY-473, L410, EY-387, AN-32, EY-326, AN 26-200, and EY-938, B727-200.
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