Ethiopian Airlines helps South Sudan partners set up a national carrier with management, training, support to the regional and pan African aviation and connectivity.

South Sudan has made a major step forward with Ethiopian Airlines signing an agreement to create a South Sudanese national airline via a management agreement with the country's government. For South Sudan, the aviation sector reached a critical stage of its development on November 7, 2024, when it signed an agreement (MoU) on the same day.

Ethiopian Airways will help South Sudan’s new airline through technical skills development and management support as the new airline prepares to take over Somalia airspace from Sudanese control.  Finally, this partnership is seen as a positive development for South Sudan’s post conflict development in terms of employment; enhancement of air transport, and regional economic integration.

Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has aimed to establish a national carrier, facing numerous challenges. Past attempts, including a 2012 partnership with Atlasjet Airlines, were not successful but Ethiopian Airlines collaboration is promising for the aviation sector, officials said.

However Ethiopian Airlines already has a head start with this deal as it pushes its way to dominance of African aviation. It seeks to build on its regional network even further.  It seeks to build on its regional network even further. The airline has already been entering into joint ventures across the continent in line with its Vision 2025 plan. Already operational subsidiaries such as Togo’s ASKY Airlines, Zambia Airways and Air Malawi.

It is envisaged that the new national carrier of South Sudan will play a pivotal role in filling the significant domestic and regional air transport gaps within East and Central Africa through the support of Ethiopian Airlines.